Gothamist

Call For Photos: SNOW!

Jen Carlson — 2010-02-09T20:00:00-05:00

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Are you ready for the biggest snowstorm of the decade?! Here's all you need to know about handling the white stuff tomorrow. And if you venture out and take some photos, send them to us (or tag them with "Gothamist" on Flickr)!

Extra, Extra

Jake Dobkin — 2010-02-09T18:20:00-05:00

Helicopter tour, by Several Seconds

Today on the Gothamist Newsmap: double shooting in Brooklyn, falling debris on East 33rd Street, and an unusual incident on 40th and 2nd ("PCT REQ ESU TO CUT A BICYCLE DOWN FROM A TREE").
Sad: more than 59% of Haitians living in the United States lost loved ones in the earthquake.
According to Pat Kiernan, you really can die of a broken heart. Happy Valentine's Day!
It turns out that blasting Beyonce into your womb is actually NOT GOOD for the baby.
According to Bloomberg's architecture critic, Barnard's new student center is easier to enter than the one at Columbia: "Fort Barnard has lowered its defenses in lovely contrast to Columbia University’s brawny neo-Renaissance fortifications across the street."
After the apocalypse, when giant roaches rule the city, you can be sure of one thing: New York's real estate families will still be around, charging rent.
A fiberglass cow was stolen from in front of a school in Bensonhurst. Students think they know who was behind the theft: "I think it was terrorists, because they don't like peace."

Terror Suspect's Dad Pleads Not Guilty

Sabrina Jaszi — 2010-02-09T18:16:34-05:00

At his arraignment today, the father of accused terrorist Najibullah Zazi, pleaded not guilty to charges of obstructing the investigation of his son by destroying evidence—glasses, chemical bottles and masks that could have been the materials for homemade bombs. The hearing in Brooklyn Federal Court was kept secret and not marked on a public calendar, but there was a recording. After pleading not guilty, Mohamed Wali Zazi was told he'd no longer be released on bail (before today he was being monitored electronically). Prosecutors were against letting him free because of the "gravity of his charges" and the "risk of flight," reports the Post.

The younger Zazi, an airport van driver and Denver resident, has pleaded not guilty to using hair dye and beauty supplies to make weapons of mass destruction. He's being held in the city.

Thousands Of Parking Placards For The Disabled Are "Missing"

Ben Muessig — 2010-02-09T18:10:00-05:00

Here we go again. After countless allegations of fraud and abuse of police parking placards, a new report indicates that some 22,000 parking decals for disabled drivers are missing, and they might have fallen into the wrong hands. According to city Comptroller John Liu, the massive number of missing permits means there could be a lucrative black market for the handicapped stickers. "Fraudulent permits are easily created using these seals," he said.

Liu told the Post that roughly a fifth of the city's 100,500 placards for disabled motorists aren't accounted for in records, potentially allowing thousands of non-disabled drivers to take advantage of handicapped spaces. But the Department of Transportation denies that any placards are missing and insists it has a list of who has them. "There is no evidence of any missing, misplaced or misappropriated disability-permit seals," the DOT said.

Stable Owner Says Regulations Will Break Bank

Jen Carlson — 2010-02-09T17:55:00-05:00

Photo via j bary's flickr

With the Health Department cracking down on the carriage horse industry, it seems stable horses are next on their list—if their proposed regulations go through, the animals may receive the same breaks animal rights activists have been fighting for. But one Brooklyn Stable owner tells the Daily News that if he has to give his horses 5-week vacations, bigger stalls and install a sprinkler system in his barn... it would break the bank.

The Kensington Stable owner says, "I want to keep horseback riding affordable for Brooklyn families, but I don't see how I can do that. What am I supposed to do—become a ritzy, snobby barn that charges $100?" His current charge is $37 per ride in Prospect Park.

While the proposed changes would lead towards more humane treatment, one local whose daughter takes lessons at the stable says, "It's a horrible idea to imagine taking horses out of Prospect Park."

The Health Department is allegedly reviewing comments submitted during a public hearing, and their proposal will be submitted at the next Board of Health meeting.

DA Investigates Mysterious $750,000 Bloomberg Donation

Sabrina Jaszi — 2010-02-09T17:44:00-05:00

(AP Photo/Chad Rachman, Pool)

Bloomberg made so many donations last year he can't even keep track of them all. Something shady is allegedly going on with one of them, a $750,000 contribution to the Independence Party, prompting Manhattan DA Cy Vance to investigate how the money was handled by a top aide and what exactly it was spent on. "We handed the money over to the Independence Party, and they have the full accounting, presumably, of how the money was spent," said Bloomberg's campaign lawyer Ken Gross. "The understanding was that the money was helping go to the party to pay for Election Day expenses such as poll watchers."

According to Gross, the money was used "primarily" for "typical" party expenses like Election Day transportation, poll watchers and food for volunteers, reports the Daily News. Aides have said that a company called Special Elections Operations (which was formed hastily and not registered with the state until a month after the election), through which the contribution passed, hired 200 to 300 poll watchers paid $500 each. But where did the rest of the money go?

Vance is on the case. To kick off his investigation he's subpoenaed two key players: the aide, John Haggerty Jr.—an unpaid "volunteer" who received a $120,000 contribution from Bloomberg for his recently-formed political committee—and Independence Party Chairman Frank MacKay. More to come, but it's fun to see the new DA pick up right where Morgenthau left off: being a pain in the neck to Bloomberg.

Struggling City Homeowners Can Pay Water Bills Late

Sabrina Jaszi — 2010-02-09T17:34:00-05:00

For all those New Yorkers at risk of foreclosure Mayor Bloomberg says, it's OK, you can pay your water bills late. His new program allows homeowners who already owe $1,000 in water bills to freeze their penalties and unpaid interest. The city will recoup the money when the properties are sold or refinanced, reports the Daily News. "What this is trying to do is to help people, not to bail out everyone. The city just can't do that," Bloomberg said. But daaad...

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2010-02-09T17:34:00-05:00

Snowpocalypse Predicted, NYC Bears Down

Jen Chung — 2010-02-09T17:25:00-05:00

Via Accuweather

Last weekend's snow storm missed us, but meteorologists say the NYC region will get walloped tomorrow with a big snowfall, prompting city officials to call it a snow day in advance. AccuWeather says, "The nor'easter is destined to be the biggest storm of the new year so far for New York City to Boston. Unlike the last storm, this one will 'not' miss these areas... The blowing snow will create near-zero visibility at times."

The Department of Sanitation is on stand-by and even the USPS sent out a notice saying that pick-up of mail would conclude by noon in all five boroughs! As for accumulation, one guess is that NYC could see between eight and 14 inches; WCBS 2's John Elliott said, "The six to ten inches in the Big Apple could easily be 10 to 18 inches in parts of the Garden State... It's going to be a big deal. It's going to be an all day thing. You'll be able to get here just fine, if you head out early enough, but the problem will be getting home."

Speaking of getting around, the MTA wants customers to check the MTA.info website for the latest information as its various divisions work to prepare for the storm. Here are details from the MTA's press release:

Tomorrow morning, rush-hour service on subways and buses, the Long Island Rail Road, and bridges and tunnels is expected to remain normal. Metro-North Railroad will operate on a reduced schedule, with about 70% of inbound morning rush-hour trains running. As the day progresses, service on Metro-North and the Long Island Rail Road will differ from a normal weekday schedule, with more trains being added between noon and 4 p.m., and fewer trains operating during the usual height of the evening rush hour. Customers should visit MTA.info to find schedules for tomorrow’s trains.

Subway service should remain on or close to regular service levels during rush hours and middays, but delays and disruptions are possible as snow accumulates on tracks and streets, and express subway service may be reduced or eliminated on some routes during evening and overnight hours as underground express tracks are put to use for train storage.

The steps that the MTA agencies will take to ensure continued operations throughout and immediately after the storm include the following:

· MTA New York City Transit, MTA Long Island Rail Road and MTA Metro-North Railroad maintain fleets of snow and ice-busting equipment designed to keep outdoor tracks, third rails and overhead wires clear of snow and ice. The fleet includes super-powered snow throwers, jet-powered snow-blowers, de-icing cars, and pilot trains equipped with plows, all designed to keep service moving. This equipment provides the ability to run trains more often, which also serves as a way to keep tracks clear of snow.

· MTA New York City Transit protects its subway trains from snow, ice and sub-freezing temperatures by moving them from outside yards into storage on the express tracks in tunnels. This causes a reduction of express service during evenings and overnight hours, with more limited impact during middays and rush-hours.

· Track switches will be treated with anti-freeze, and switch heaters will be turned on during the storm to keep switches moving freely so we can continue to route trains from one track to another.

· Crews will shovel and salt outdoor platforms and steps at all subway and commuter rail stations.

· MTA Bridges and Tunnels has 7,000 tons of deicer available to be applied at roadways and toll plazas at its seven bridges and two tunnels, plus nearly 100 pieces of snow-removal equipment including plows that will be deployed as needed.

· MTA New York City Transit will deploy 31 salt-spreading trucks along its highest priority bus routes beginning this evening, particularly those with hills.

· The MTA’s bus operations will place chains on the tires of 700 to 800 buses to ensure they have better traction in snow, slush and ice. The first buses to receive those chains are those that operate on overnight routes.

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Paterson: Only the Voters or Death Can Get Me Out of Office

John Del Signore — 2010-02-09T17:13:00-05:00

Governor Paterson held a press conference today to talk about impending snow (the natural kind). But naturally talk veered to the rumors surrounding a yet-unpublished NY Times "bombshell" that some have speculated would force Paterson to step down. The Governor said he sat down for an interview with Times reporters today, and the questioning did not have to do with the salacious gossip that's been swirling for the past week. "I was interviewed for that piece," Paterson told reporters. "No such questions related to any of that information was asked of me at any interview. [The reporter] said he would leave all that speculation for other news sources." And then Paterson defiantly unloaded on the Times for not clearing the air.

"They don't seem to be interested in addressing it or doing anything about it—I think it's appalling," Paterson said. According to Politico, he added that he'd written the paper's public editor to complain "and to ask how they would expect him to act if a government agency 'took some kind of action that slandered a citizen.'"

Paterson also reiterated that there's no way a State Trooper could have found him embracing a woman in a utility closet because "we don't have a utility room at the Mansion. [Times reporter] Danny Hakim was there today. He couldn't find it." BOOM. And you know what else? "The only way I'm not going to be governor next year is at the ballot box and the only way I'm leaving before that is in a box," Paterson added, shooting lasers out of his eyes that immediately incinerated the press pool.

Happy Alligators In The Sewer Day!

Jen Carlson — 2010-02-09T17:04:00-05:00

Did you know that today marks the 75th anniversary of the birth of one of New York's greatest urban legends? Yep, the discovery of alligators in the NYC sewer system! Back in November we took a look back at the city's history with alligators, dating back to at least 1935 when the New York Times reported on an 8-footer in East Harlem!

This morning a press conference was even held on the steps of City Hall to mark the event—sadly we got word of this at the last minute else we would have definitely been there! Anyway, we hear that at this shindig, Manhattan Borough President Stringer declared it "Alligators in the Sewers Day." Really! So get out there celebrate.

State Senate Votes Against Plan To Hold Terror Trial In NYC

Ben Muessig — 2010-02-09T16:50:00-05:00

The list of opponents of the plan to hold the trials of Khalid Shaikh Mohammed and four other suspect terrorists in a Lower Manhattan courthouse keeps getting longer. Due to concerns about security, cost, and trial's possible impact on the lives of Manhattan residents, the state Senate passed a resolution today urging the federal government to try the suspects in military tribunals, not civilian courts, according to 1010WINS. The advisory vote comes as the Obama administration appears to be considering moving the trial out of Manhattan—but not necessarily out of civilian courts. Meanwhile, tomorrow's planned City Council hearing on the terror trial has been postponed due to the pending snowpocalypse.

Bad Human Mugs Good Dog

Jen Carlson — 2010-02-09T16:40:00-05:00

Are things really that bad that mugging dogs is now something that is actually happening? FIPS reports that a pup named Lexie was recently left outside for just a moment while her human went to buy milk inside Ace Supermarket on Union and 7th in Park Slope. When the owner came back out, around 6.30 p.m., Lexie's little green coat had been ripped right off her body! We couldn't agree more with the owner's sentiment: "WHAT. THE. FUCK??? I mean, who does that?" Maybe it was a dog-on-dog crime? Anyway, on the upside, at least Lexie was unharmed.

Hill Country "Feed Your Face" Challenge Not Gluttonous Enough

John Del Signore — 2010-02-09T16:24:00-05:00

At the end of last week, we were so impressed to read that someone actually had the intestinal stamina to beat the Hill Country "Feed Your Face Challenge." We shouldn't have been. Turns out, eating two pounds of meat, two sides, a cupcake, and a 32-ounce soft drink in under an hour is child's play. At least, it is for a "competitive eater." We're told that on Saturday, an unidentified female pro eater visited the popular BBQ joint and beat the challenge in eight minutes—then added another extra pound of meat and some more sides! Hill Country's workers say they don't remember her name, but the restaurant insists they initially set the challenge with the condition that if anyone wanted to set the bar higher they could... and she did. Now it's really extreme.

A reader who visited Hill Country Saturday was notified that the challenge had changed to 3 lbs of meat and two medium sides (as opposed to 2 lbs of meat and two small sides). Even tougher to swallow, the new cost of losing is now $85 instead of $65. According to our source, "The servers also told us one other guy tried the new challenge before us and he got down to the cupcake, but ended up puking on his cupcake." A Hill Country rep confirms the changes, and says the three pounds of meat is comprised of 3/4 lb. of Moist Brisket, 3/4 lb. of Lean Brisket, 3/4 lb. of Beef Shoulder, and 3/4 lb. of Prime Rib. Hardcore. It's as if Lou Reed strolled into an amateur arrogance contest and set the bar so high only Kanye West could compete.

Jersey Shore Relocates To South Beach

Jen Carlson — 2010-02-09T16:12:00-05:00

Looks like Miamist will have to come out of hiatus... the Jersey Shore cast is moving to Florida for season two! South Beach, to be exact. How will America's Favorite Guidos & Guidettes do in a city that's probably a bit more class than trash (at least in comparison to dirty Jersey)? Stay tuned! Filming starts in May, and in the meantime, TMZ has been intercepting letters from the show's producers to find out some of the locations they're scouting.

Advertising Agency Owes Cash-Strapped MTA $18 Million

Ben Muessig — 2010-02-09T16:00:00-05:00

from lillergy's flickr

In order to avoid far-reaching subway cuts that would eliminate the M and W lines and cause trains to become less frequent and more crowded, the MTA needs about $18 million—the same amount a deadbeat advertising company owes the transit agency. An MTA audit revealed that Titan Outdoor Holdings has come up short on its monthly payments for almost a year, but the MTA is afraid that recouping the money might bankrupt the company, causing the agency to net even less revenue.

According to the Daily News, Titan's contract promises the MTA 72 percent of gross revenues or $5.4 million a month, whichever is greater. Though that rate is the highest in the industry, the company hit the mark in 2007 and 2008. But since the recession hit, business at Titan has gone downhill. Since February 2009, Titan has only given the agency about $4 million per month, and an MTA audit revealed the company has filed financial statements late and under-reported revenue, demonstrating a "continued pattern of noncompliance with its financial reporting."

But right now, as the MTA considers "Doomsday" service cuts and faces another budget shortfall next year, officials worry that if they fire Titan, it's unlikely another ad company would sign on to pay the same rate. That means, the MTA might turn out renegotiating its contract with Titan to accept lower payments. An MTA spokesman told the paper: "We're exploring all of our options."

Brooklyn Man Loses Tires, Finds Them on Craigslist

Sabrina Jaszi — 2010-02-09T15:47:00-05:00

Craigslist giveth and Craigslist taketh away—last week a thief experienced both when he tried to pass off stolen tires via the web classifieds, and ended up delivering them back to the their former owner. On February 3rd the victim told cops that someone had taken the rims and tires from his 2008 Infiniti, which he'd parked on East 71st Street in Manhattan. The next day he logged onto the web classifieds to find a new set, reports the Post, and found a listing for his own stolen property, being sold by one Joel Walton. The victim, a Brooklyn resident, arranged to meet Walton in East New York and called the police for back-up. Cops cuffed the 21-year-old suspect and took him into custody. Now he'll need a lawyer, but luckily Craigslist has that covered, too.

Lil Wayne Off to Rikers Dental Surgery

John Del Signore — 2010-02-09T15:35:00-05:00

[UPDATE BELOW] Today rapper Lil Wayne is expected to go to Rikers Island, where he'll spend most of 2010 behind bars after pleading guilty to "attempted" gun possession charges. In a cover story interview with Rolling Stone, Wayne says he hasn't sought advice on how to get through Rikers, because "This is Lil Wayne going to jail. Nobody I can talk to can tell me what that’s like. I just say I’m looking forward to it." It can be a mellow place if one avoids the fight clubs. Wayne spent his last night of freedom in the studio recording tracks bound for "Tha Carter IV," and also send out this heartfelt message, or "shout out," for his fans:

I’m out this bitch. To all my fans, my real fans, I really, really, really truly love you. I love you with all of me, for real. I’ll probably be loving everything else because I love you so much. Thank you from the bottom [of my heart]. Do not forget about me ’cause I will forever think about you, and I cannot wait for you to see me again. I’m out.

It's going to be a long, dull year without Weezy, but his manager Cortez Bryant says he's exploring ways to keep Wayne in the public eye during his bid. A jailhouse Twitter account is in the works, and Wayne promises, "I’ll have an iPod, and I”ll make sure they keep sending me beats." "Tha Carter IV" is expected to drop when Wayne gets released.

UPDATE: Well, see, the thing is, this really isn't a convenient time for Lil Wayne to go to prison, because he's got a lot of work he needs done on his teeth! At his sentencing today, Wayne got a temporary reprieve in order to finish a string of recent surgeries for an unspecified dental problem before he goes to prison. Judging by these recent photos, we're guessing he's still got some de-icing to do—Wayne reportedly has $150K worth of diamonds on his teeth. The AP reports that his sentencing is now set for March 2, and a judge says it won't be put off further.

New East Village Bar Calling All Horny Alcoholics

John Del Signore — 2010-02-09T15:22:00-05:00

At the end of last month, the tolerable East Village watering hole Telephone Bar closed; it's being replaced by a new venture from the owners of such fratastic destinations as The Stumble Inn and Gin Mill. The change wouldn't really merit mention on its own, but EV Grieve has noticed that the future pub's name, The 13th Step, is more than a little tasteless. In Alcoholics Anonymous slang, the term is "used as a euphemism for inappropriate sexual advances by a member to a newcomer in AA." So, coming soon to Second Ave, the perfect place for booze and sex addicts to join together in a spirit of communal relapse! Now they just need a video poker machine so the gambling fiends won't feel left out.

Update: Councilman Accused Of Money-Laundering, Fraud

Ben Muessig — 2010-02-09T15:08:00-05:00

[UPDATE BELOW] Councilman Larry Seabrook (D-Bronx) has reportedly been hit with a 13-count indictment on federal charges of money laundering, conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, mail and wire fraud, extortion, and receiving an unlawful gratuity. Insiders told the Times that the Democrat—who represents Wakefield, Co-op City, Edenwald, Williamsbridge and Baychester—is suspected of helping a boiler company obtain city contracts.

Seabrook's attorney, Murray Richmond, said he didn't have enough information about the indictment—which is expected to remain sealed until this afternoon—to discuss the charges in detail. "Once I have been able to review the indictment and all of the allegations I will be able to comment more fully," he said. According to the Daily News, Seabrook has already turned himself in.

This isn't the first time that the three-term councilman and former state senator has come under fire. He has already been investigated for getting his sister a job and allegedly taking part in a real estate scam involving a Seabrook-founded nonprofit that rented space and subleased it to other Seabrook-linked nonprofits, which paid inflated rents using city money.

UPDATE: The 65-page federal indictment [PDF] has been unsealed, and Seabrook is facing a number of charges, including:

Helping a friend land a $300,000 subcontract to install two boilers at the new Yankee Stadium, then shaking down the pal for $50,000, according to the Times.
Altering a receipt for a $7 bagel sandwich and a diet soda so he would be reimbursed $177, according to the Daily News.
Directing more than $1 million in discretionary funds to finance nonprofits that inflated their rent claims to the city, and paid his girlfriend, his brother, sisters and nephews $500,000 in salaries and consulting fees, according to the Post.
Laundering money through political clubs and using the cash for credit card bills, airline tickets to Florida, books, parking fines, and flowers for his sisters.

Council Speaker Christine Quinn issued a statement noting that the Council—which last year saw Miguel Martinez sentenced to five years in prison for stealing $106,000 intended for nonprofits—takes "the deeply troubling allegations" against Seabrook "very seriously." She added: "If Council Member Seabrook's alleged crimes are proven to be true, they display a galling abuse of the trust and confidence placed in public officials."

City Backs Off Buying Wyckoff-Bennett House

Jen Carlson — 2010-02-09T14:58:00-05:00

circa 1954

The city is backing out of plans to purchase the historic Wyckoff-Bennett House in Brooklyn even though the 18th-century Dutch farmhouse—located on East 22nd Street near Avenue P—is one of the few left standing and it's still inhabited. Homeowners Stuart and Annette Mont say they've gone through a decade of negotiations and preparations with the Parks Department, but now a new deal has been proposed that isn't to their liking.

The property is comprised of four tax lots, a 4,000-square-foot landmarked homestead, and an old barn. Originally, the Parks Department was going to purchase the home for $2MM, not including the historic treasures inside, and have the Monts live there rent-free acting as caretakers and security guards. The property alone is allegedly valued at $2.2MM, but according to the Post, "the DCAS had assessed $40,000 a year for 15 years, as rent, to cover the amount of time it determined the Monts might continue to live in the old farmhouse, thus decreasing the amount offered by approximately one-third, to about $1.3 million."

Mr. Mont told the paper, “There was never a question in our minds that, at some point, the city would have the deed and we would still be living here. This came literally out of nowhere. Instead of charging us for rent, they should be paying us for 24-hour security and caretaking." But a Parks spokesperson says, "the city was unfortunately not able to negotiate terms with the current owners that were acceptable to both sides.” The NY Times paid the Motts a visit after the talks collapsed, and have a nice gallery of photos showing the living museum and its contents up close and personal.

New Gross Details on Rubber Room Creep Rosenfeld

Sabrina Jaszi — 2010-02-09T14:45:00-05:00

Alan Rosenfeld, en route from Central Casting to the Rubber Room

Today's update on Alan Rosenfeld, the ex-teacher who landed in a Department of Education teacher reassignment center (aka Rubber Room) nearly a decade ago for lewd behavior towards students, features weird and outlandish quotes from some of his victims. We also get more info on how the educator ogled students, some as young a 13, at his school, a neighboring school and from the women's bathroom.

According to a report from 2001, Rosenfeld was caught leering at female students on numerous occasions. "My shoes are down there, not up here," one girl told the teacher when he said he was looking at her footwear. He allegedly told another girl she had "a very sexy body and that [she] should wear a bathing suit to show it off." Very smooth. One more account describes how Rosenfeld went in the girls' bathroom and took away a student's bathroom pass when she caught him in the act. "Why are you looking at [my friend's] butt?" she asked him, according to the Post.

Even with all of that rear-watching on file, the DOE didn't fire him, but sent him to the Rubber Room instead. "The current policy has tied the hands of the Department of Education," said one Bronx lawmaker, Sen. Frank Padavan. In addition to collecting a high salary from the city, Rosenfeld makes hundreds of thousands by operating a law firm from the Rubber Room.

Murder Suspect: "I Was High As A Mother!$#*er When I Did It"

Ben Muessig — 2010-02-09T14:30:00-05:00

A Staten Island man accused of stabbing a 54-year-old to death told reporters he was on drugs when he committed the crime. While waiting to enter court for his arraignment, 23-year-old Jahaad Chesson tried to tell his "side of the story," stating: "I was high as a mother [expletive] when I did it." Here's footage of the bizarre exchange from the Staten Island Advance:

Suspect in murder of Anthony Illidge talks to reporters

Chesson—who has served two years behind bars for past robbery convictions—later said: "I didn't do nothing." He then claimed he had been told that he was high on drugs during the attack. Chesson also noted "it's hard out here for a pimp," and asked for treatment for his "mental problems." He added: "If there's a doctor that's gonna see this, come see me, I need help."

According to authorities, Chesson repeatedly stabbed Port Richmond resident Anthony Illidge after trying to break into his home late last month. After the attack, Chesson is accused of hiding the victim's body in a wooded area behind a fence. He is facing charges of murder, burglary, grand larceny, criminal possession of stolen property and tampering with physical evidence.

Rita's Water Ice Coming to Manhattan!

Jaya Saxena — 2010-02-09T14:19:00-05:00

Did none of these suggestions solve the intractable problem of Valentine's Day for you? Well, your looming V-Day troubles are over: Philly's favorite Rita's Water Ice (snowcones, fro-yo, etc.) will be opening their first NYC location on the 14th, and all visitors for the first week will get a free ice. Cheap date! We'd go with the black cherry, but can someone go and let us know what Swedish Fish® Sweet Tea tastes like? [Via Grub Street]

Never Wire Money to Canadian Mounties

John Del Signore — 2010-02-09T13:57:00-05:00

An elderly Carroll Gardens woman recently fell for the old "you're grandson's in trouble" con, but this one had a clever Canadian twist. A man identifying himself as "Constable Karl Moore from the Canadian Police Department" telephoned a woman at her home on Henry Street Friday morning with some bad news: her grandson "had gotten into trouble with the law" during a trip to the north country.

But if she could wire $1,714 through Western Europe, his fines would be paid and he'd be released from the clean, polite Canadian prison system! So she rushed to his rescue and sent the money. Of course, then she started thinking, and decided to call her daughter to inquire about the grandson. "He’s in school — he’s not in Canada," said her daughter, the Brooklyn Paper reports. The lesson in all this is that if you ever run out of money and scruples, you can always pick up the phone and keep dialing random numbers until you find a trusting old woman to scam. We've nothing more to add, really, except maybe a little Dudley-Do Right video, below.

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Bronx Chickens Are Dirty, Friendly, Trusting

Jen Carlson — 2010-02-09T13:45:00-05:00

Photo via mtkr's flickr

More animals are terrorizing our streets! This time chickens have taken over the 1300 block of Edward L. Grant Highway in the Bronx (safe from eagles and coyotes... for now). According to the Daily News, there are like 30 chickens on Highbridge Street! A local tells them, "They're all over the place. Walking up the street like they belong there." Kids are feeding them chocolate chip cookies, they're sleeping in trees, mingling with squirrels... it's chaos!

Allegedly during the day they roost at the Sanitation Department facility in the neighborhood, and will sometimes come out if you throw crumbs. Yes, this all sounds very sanitary. While the News says they are "dirty as junkyard dogs," other locals describe them as very friendly and perhaps a little too trusting... especially with a Wendy's just three blocks away.

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2010-02-09T13:45:00-05:00

Senior Blames Toyota for Synagogue Hit; Prius Recalls Official

Sabrina Jaszi — 2010-02-09T13:31:00-05:00

AP/Toyota's president Akio Toyoda

Today Toyota made official its recall of over 400,000 hybrid cars. Meanwhile a Queens man says he felt the affects of automaker's widespread pedal problems first-hand when his out-of-control Camry hit two other cars yesterday, ending up on the steps of a synagogue. "It's quite obvious—I blame Toyota," said Gerald Silver.

Silver, a WWII veteran and Purple Heart recipient, says he was turning onto Yellowstone Boulevard from Queens Boulevard Monday afternoon when his Camry's gas pedal began malfunctioning. "The car just speeded up unbelievably," the 86-year-old told the Daily News. "I attempted to brake it and it just kept getting faster and faster."

By today Toyota had announced global recalls on 437,000 defective hybrid models whose brakes may stop working on bumpy roads, reports the AP. That's on top of the 2.3 million it recalled earlier this year (Camrys were included in that group). In the U.S. 133,000 Priuses and 14,500 Lexus HS250h vehicles are being ordered back to the dealerships. The company's president responded today: "I don't see Toyota as an infallible company that never makes mistakes,'' said Akio Toyoda. "We will face up to the facts and correct the problem."

Gov's Plan To Fix MTA: Tax Cut In Suburbs, Tax Hike In City

Ben Muessig — 2010-02-09T13:15:00-05:00

from Zach K's flickr

Under Gov. Paterson's plan to rescue the MTA from a $400 million budget shortfall, New York City businesses would see a payroll tax increase by 59 percent, surging from .34 percent for every $100 of payroll to .54 percent. Meanwhile, the payroll tax in suburban areas would be cut in half.

After politicians and residents from Suffolk, Nassau, Putnam, Westchester, Orange, Dutchess and Rockland counties complained about the tax, which was implemented last year in an MTA bailout, Paterson proposed cutting the tax in suburbs to .17 percent. Paterson says the new tax is fairer, but Mayor Bloomberg told the Post it's "wrongheaded," and added in a statement: "The idea that the state can spare the suburbs while sacking the City is terrible economics, grossly unfair and contrary to every principle of good regional development."

The Daily News notes that the change would plug between $230 and $240 million of the MTA's $400 million budget gap, though it would do nothing to prevent widespread service cuts that were already approved. An MTA spokesman said it would "lessen the need for additional cuts," but "[i]t would not eliminate the need for the service cuts and administrative reductions included in the MTA budget passed in December."

Investor/Coke Fiend Accused of Defrauding Friends, Best Man

Sabrina Jaszi — 2010-02-09T12:51:00-05:00

Friends and clients of real estate investor Adam Hochfelder thought they were buying shares in Lake George's Sagamore Resort and another property in Telluride, Colorado, but instead the money was going up Hochfelder's nose, among other places. The onetime-mogul—who underwent nasal reconstructive surgery because of his coke problem—says substance abuse led him to take over $2.5 million from investors and spend it on debts, private school for his kids, private jets, lawyer fees and expensive trips. He was arrested yesterday, and previously, in 2008, Hochfelder was charged with taking banks, family and friends for $17 million. “The facts of this case speak volumes about the defendant’s character,” the prosecutor said. “He did it with an outstanding level of arrogance and entitlement.”

"The defendant systematically defrauded his friends, family and business associates out of millions of dollars through phony real estate deals, repeatedly abusing the trust of those who believed he was an upstanding businessman," asserted Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance Jr. Among Hochfelder's victims was a close friend who'd been the best man at his wedding, reports the Daily News.

Still, the defense says Hochfelder "intended to pay them back, and he's paid back a total of $15 million." (The restitution he's made has served to keep him out of jail, reports the NY Post.) Called a wunderkind, Hochfelder controlled millions of square feet of office space, once valued at $2.7 billion, before the age of 35. Now penniless, he's out on $1 million bail. "The Adam Hochfelder of today is a broke Adam Hochfelder," said his lawyer.

Ford Wants Bonus "Transparency," But Won't Discuss His Bonus

Ben Muessig — 2010-02-09T12:37:00-05:00

Former Tennessee lawmaker, current Wall Street worker, and possible Senate candidate Harold Ford has already taken heat from his likely rival for not disclosing whether or not he earned a "taxpayer-backed" bonus for his work at Merrill Lynch. Now, he's taking heat from himself. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand's campaign is circulating a video of a March 2009 appearance by Ford on MSNBC in which he says there is a need for greater "transparency" regarding banking bonuses funded with TARP money.

"I would consider, Mika, appointing sort of a TARP institution compensation committee. Three people of unimpeachable integrity—a Colin Powell, a Jim Baker, an Alice Rivlin—people of that nature, of that stature, who would not have to give consent for bonuses that these institutions would provide, but would certainly bring about the transparency that so many in Congress want and the country wants in terms of bonuses that these institutions provide or payment they provide to their top executives. And two, they would be able to recommend if performance was the driving factor here and not just contractual duties."

According to the Daily News, the Gillibrand press release is a sign the incumbent is "continuing to pressure" Ford. The release includes a quote from Gillibrand advisor Jeffrey Pollock, who claims that Ford—who is taking a leave of absence from Merrill Lynch while he decides whether or not to launch a full-fledged campaign—wants to have it both ways. "It sounds like Vice Chairman Ford thinks other Wall Street executives should disclose their bonus, but not him ... Does Ford still support this kind of transparency, and if so, why doesn't he get the ball rolling and start answering questions about how much of a bonus he got at Merrill Lynch?"

When asked if he received a bonus, Ford has declined to answer directly. He told Newsday: "I can say that I fulfilled the contract and was paid per the terms of the contract. There was a contract that was a part of it, and I received what was laid out in the contract."

Coyote Craziness Continues!

Jen Carlson — 2010-02-09T12:23:00-05:00

That coyote's in your bike lane

While we all wait for a Bald Eagle vs. Coyote face-off—or for those Columbia University coyotes to finish their education and take over the human race—we figured we'd get some facts from the front line.

Parks Department's Press Officer, Cristina DeLuca, told us this morning: "We know of four coyotes that have traveled into Manhattan in the last decade, and one or more have been reported in recent weeks in various parts of Central Park. While coyotes are top predators, they prey primarily on small animals such as mice and birds. However, like other animals successfully living in or near urban areas, coyotes are opportunistic omnivores; they will scavenge a meal (trash, compost, dead animals, vegetation) if necessary." Trash and rat control? Yes please!

But she goes on to say that if you come into contact with one of these fellas, you should call 311 immediately. The city plans to eventually capture the coyotes; currently the protocol for doing so is being put together by several agencies including the DEP.

Over at the NY Post, Dr. Paul Curtis (coyote expert!) tells the paper that, "The peak of breeding is right around this time of year. The young animals get kicked out of the home because their parents are preparing to breed. They're pushing themselves into the city, and what they found in the city is that life isn't so bad." And tomorrow they'll probably love frolicking around in the snow!

Pencil This In

2010-02-09T12:19:00-05:00

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School Already Canceled Tomorrow for Snowpocalypse!

John Del Signore — 2010-02-09T12:08:00-05:00

Brooklyn youths use a 1957 snowstorm as an excuse for idleness and pelting busy adults with snowballs. (Lisa Larsen/Life )

Snow noes, the teenagers are going to be running amok tonight! The Mayor's office has preemptively announced that all NYC public schools are going to be closed tomorrow out of panic that this time the impending snowmageddon will actually happen, as our venerable seers portend. Over a foot of snow is expected starting early tomorrow morning, but throughout tonight, expect adolescents to run (more) wild in the streets (than usual). Then they'll sleep half the day away tomorrow, rising for The Price is Right, followed by a mass high-jacking of snow plows to make sure roads remain impassable through the weekend. Rules were made to be frozen!

Blade-Smuggling Imam Faces Grand Jury

Sabrina Jaszi — 2010-02-09T11:58:00-05:00

Abu-Shahid

Today Imam Zulqarnain Abdu-Shahid, the Correction Department chaplain and ex-con caught carrying sharp objects (razor blades and a pair of scissors) into a downtown prison, is set to testify in front of a grand jury. Last week the Imam was charged with four counts of first-degree promoting prison contraband. According to his layer, the blades caught by an X-ray machine as the chaplain entered the prison are "the kind found in barbershops."

Before he got religion, Abu-Shahid—then known as Paul Pitts—was one of a group of men who robbed a supermarket, killing a customer. He spent 14 years behind bars for that misdeed; the NY Post says that this time he could go to jail for as long as seven years.

Early Addition

Jen Carlson — 2010-02-09T11:36:00-05:00

Photo of Brighton Beach Sunbathers by Tom Giebel

From the Gothamist newsmap: a Robbery In Transit in Queens; a Jumper Up on W 183rd St & Fort Washington Ave in Manhattan; and an Unusual Incident at E 40th St & 2nd Ave (we found out that this was an attempt to cut a bicycle down from a tree... unusual indeed!)
You think NYC mail service sucks? A suburban New York mail carrier reportedly stole $200K in goods... and officers think she may have had help. Dun dun dun!
Will the next old Loew's Theater to be given Landmark Status be the Shore Theater on Coney Island?
The Cheyenne Diner was sent to Alabama for this?!
Looking for some action? Butler and Nevins streets in Boerum Hill seems to be the place to go.
Aw: Anne Hathaway and her family left the Catholic Church when her brother came out of the closet.
Sorry juiceheads, Snooki is officially taken.
And 46 years ago today the Beatles appeared on Ed Sullivan. Here's a look back we did last year, and Inside the Apple has one today.

Bloomberg: Crime Stat Manipulations are "Tiny"

Sabrina Jaszi — 2010-02-09T11:22:00-05:00

Bloomberg photo by Oliver 66 on flickr.

Believe it or not, Mayor Bloomberg is insisting that the NYPD's crime statistics are accurate—well, most of the time. "There's always going to be some fudging of the numbers, but it is tiny," the mayor said. "I have an enormous amount of confidence in the data." He also suggested that a study by two criminologists, which showed police precincts routinely fudge their data, may have been biased. According to Bloomberg, it was "paid for by one of the unions, so you've got to start wondering whether it was an independent study."

Actually, although the survey was done in conjunction with the union for superior officers, it was funded by L.I.'s Molloy College, reports the Daily News. Still, for obvious reasons, Bloomberg prefers a 2006 NYU study that gave NYPD CompStat high grades for accuracy, thank you very much. Eli Silverman, who was in charge of the recent survey of over 1,000 retired police higher-ups, dismissed NYU's research: "It's a glorified press release masking as a study."

Of course, as the NY Times points out, Mayor Bloomberg loves statistics. He created 311 as a way to collect data for statistics, he's used statistics to justify school closings and quotes statistics just about every month. “I’m a great believer in the wisdom I learned in my first Wall Street job: In God we trust,” he said at a conference last May. “Everyone else, bring data.”

Kerik Sentencing Looms, Feds Ask Judge to Send a Message

John Del Signore — 2010-02-09T10:58:00-05:00

Kerik and The Decider during happier times.

Poor Bernard Kerik shouldn't have to spend much time in prison because of his "extraordinary public service," and his "extraordinary and meteoric rise from truly humble origins wrought with hardship," his defense lawyers argue. On the other hand, prosecutors submitted a long memo to the judge yesterday that highlighted Kerik's "egotism and hubris", and dredged up an extraordinarily petulant letter the former NYPD commissioner sent in 1999 to his buddy Larry Ray (himself a former NYPD commissioner) which makes Kerik look like a crass, money-grubbing whiner.

"I can't go to the Carribean [sic] or Florida on a three day stint just because my dick gets hard or because I need a rest," Kerik bitched in the letter. "I can't go out an buy a motorcycle or a car, or a Rolex watch at the drop of a dime, like I've watched you do." The hardship never ended for Kerik—no wonder he had to turn to graft!

"I'm walking on eggshells until this apartment is done," Kerik complained to Ray, prattling on about how he desperately needed money for renovations. He'll be sentenced February 18th for accepting free apartment renovations from a mob-linked contractor, tax fraud, and lying to the White House during his nomination for homeland security secretary. Defense lawyers say he's "tormented by daily guilt and remorse" and "plagued by enormous debt and mounting legal fees." Under a plea agreement, prosecutors are recommending that Kerik serve 27 to 33 months in prison. The judge is not bound by the plea agreement, and he previously warned Kerik that the maximum sentence is 61 years.

Despite the deal, the Feds sent a tough-talking, 61-page memo sent to Judge Stephen C. Robinson, asking that Kerik's sentence send "an unmistakable message" about public officials who break the law. Kerik "became a wealthy man by shamelessly exploiting the most horrific civilian tragedy in this nation’s history," prosecutors added. Speaking of 9/11, of all the dozens of letters attesting to Kerik’s character (many of them from retired police officials), conspicuously missing was any missive from former Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, who launched Mr. Kerik's career.

Mumps Outbreak Hits Brooklyn Orthodox Jews

Sabrina Jaszi — 2010-02-09T10:43:00-05:00

With many cases stemming from an outbreak at a Jewish boys' summer camp upstate, more than 1,000 in New York and New Jersey are infected with the mumps, most of them Orthodox Jews. One camper—who caught the old-fashioned childhood disease in England where more than 4,000 are infected—spread the sickness to 25 of his bunk-mates, who then brought it home to their Orthodox communities. Many came from Borough Park, Brooklyn, where in October, 79 mumps sufferers were counted, reports CNN. But the numbers keep growing!

Today the CDC is slated to announce the exact number of confirmed cases in the city (we'll keep you updated). In the state, it's the largest mumps outbreak for five years, traced back to an 11-year-old at a sleep away camp in Sullivan County, NY. Most of those affected are teenagers between 14-18.

Of course there's a vaccine for mumps—a malady with symptoms such as fever, puffy jaws and cheeks and muscle aches—but it won't protect you 100 percent of the time. At the end of October health officials said that that in Borough Park “75% of the victims had the normal two doses of mumps vaccine.” (In Britain, where the outbreak began, they're not so big on vaccinating). Severe cases can lead to swelling of the brain, testicles/ovaries, and deafness.

Brooklyn Gets Swimsuit Cover

Jen Carlson — 2010-02-09T10:28:00-05:00

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22-year-old Brooklyn Decker (born in Ohio and raised in North Carolina, obvs) is gracing this year's cover of the Sport Illustrated Swimsuit issue. David Letterman says this issue (and the much coveted cover spot) is still a "huge thing" for America (is it?). He unveiled the billboard on 53rd and Broadway last night, and the model will sit down with him on tonight's show.

Decker, who is married to tennis pro Andy Roddick, told People magazine, "It's shocking and a dream come true!" Blah blah blah, here's the full SI spread, with video.

Bloomberg Wants Feds To Promise To Pay For Terror Trial

Ben Muessig — 2010-02-09T10:10:00-05:00

Former terror trial supporter and current terror trial opponent Mayor Bloomberg asked the federal government to offer some kind of guarantee that it would cover the costs of bringing Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and four other suspected 9/11 plotters to justice in New York City. According to the Washington Post, Bloomberg said he is skeptical "because a lot of times the federal government promises to pay and then the monies don't come."

"So, I'd like some assurance because the taxpayers in New York City are certainly strapped," Bloomberg added. Security for the terror trial has been estimated to cost about $200 million per year and will result in a "hard zone" bounded by Worth, Madison, Pearl and Centre Streets, which will be blocked by more than 2,000 metal barriers barring pedestrian and vehicle access, and protected by sharpshooters on rooftops, assault and canine teams on the streets, and police helicopters in the skies, according to the Tribeca Trib.

Amidst concerns about security and calls to relocate the trial to other locations, City Council will hold a hearing on the terror trial on Wednesday. "We need to protect the residents of New York City from increased risks, increased costs, increased burdens," said Councilman Peter Vallone Jr. (D-Queens). "We don't need to have a political show trial here." President Obama said on Sunday that despite previous reports, he has not scrapped his plan to hold the trial in New York, though he acknowledged that there are "logistical issues involved. If you have got a city that is saying no, and a police department that is saying no, and a mayor that is saying no, that makes it difficult."

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2010-02-09T10:10:00-05:00

More Bald Eagles Spotted In Harlem!

Jen Carlson — 2010-02-09T09:51:10-05:00

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To be honest, the photo of the bald eagle we posted last week near Fairway was just kind of depressing. There he was, pondering existence over icy waters, looking lonely, and actually balding. But the blogger who spotted that one, spotted two more this week on an ice flow in Harlem; "a huge female adult eagle finishing up a fish as another adult and juvenile begged for scraps!" If you want to see one of these in real life, they're being spotted up and down Riverside Park... just watch out for the packs of coyotes.