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Not so funny: Bloomberg aide in anti-Mexico flap
An adviser to the Bloomberg administration found herself in hot water Thursday for an off-color column in which she urged Mexico to “get a grip on its banditos” or find itself in “the naughty chair.”
In an online column for the Huffington Post, Betsy Perry — whom Mayor Michael Bloomberg appointed to the New York City Commission on Women’s Issues in 2007 — wrote that before swine flu, the worst thing for travelers was the possibility of eating something that was “touched by the Mexican help.”
She then suggested, somewhat inexplicably, that the “best PR Mexico has is the movie ‘Beverly Hills Chihuahua.’”“Between the guns, drugs, kidnappings and swine flu, this poor country can’t catch a break and, maybe it shouldn’t,” Perry wrote. “Getting Montezuma’s Revenge seems the least of Mexico’s headaches for now.”
After a storm of criticism, Perry posted an apology on the site Thursday afternoon, saying she “crossed the line between cute and offensive.”
Mayor Michael Bloomberg called the article “inappropriate” and said he saw no humor in it.
Perry serves as an unpaid member of the women’s commission.
AP contributed to this story
Tags: city hall dispatch, zany
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Strange but true: Archbishop to bless 100-ton subway drill
Photo credit: Urbanite
Archbishop Timothy Dolan, below, will bless the massive drill digging the No. 7 extension Friday. (Photo courtesy MTA; Dolan photo, Archdiocese of New York)
New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan hasn’t wasted time getting his hands dirty.
In his first two weeks on the job, the city's Roman Catholic leader has toured the World Trade Center site. He threw out a pitch for the Mets and noshed on city hot dogs. Now, he’s getting close to a 100-ton boring machine.
Dolan will bless the drill used to dig the $2.1 billion extension of the No. 7 line Friday, MTA officials announced. Sandhogs now cutting the 7,100-foot twin tunnels flowing west from Times Square requested Dolan’s grace.
Priests have blessed the subway drills over the years, but not someone of Dolan’s stature, MTA spokesman Aaron Donovan said.“Building tunnels through bedrock deep under Manhattan is a dangerous enterprise,” Donovan said.
Dolan will not venture into the tunnel but give his blessing from the street at West 25th Street and 11th Avenue.
The MTA lowered the head of the boring machine into the earth in February. Its 44 cutters are mounted on a massive disk measuring 22-feet in circumference.
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amNewYork letters to the editor
Enough with the increases and cuts
Re “MTA’s ‘horrific’ scenario,” April 30: I cannot believe the MTA wants two fare hikes in the same year. It is absolutely outrageous that they are doing this to us, the riding public, who use the subway and bus on a daily basis. First, they want to raise the fare, and second they want to cut service. Now they’re talking about eliminating overnight subway service. I’ve had it with these increases. Enough!
— David Bowman, Brooklyn
Why must Bloomy spend so much?
Can our evasive Mayor Bloomberg please explain how hard-core Republican Rudy Giuliani won two mayoral elections in NYC without spending seven times more than his Democratic opponent? Bloomberg’s entire argument was that he needed to unfairly outspend his competitor by record amounts because NYC is a Democratic city that won’t vote Republican.
— Shauna Erlbaum, Brooklyn
Kelly responsible for subordinates
Re “Commish Kelly bashes cops accused of rape,” April 29: This is surprising since I’ve always heard that the head of an organization is responsible for the conduct of his subordinates. Does he actually feel that he bears no responsibility for the training and supervision of the troops? Perhaps if he spent less time promoting his reputation as “counterterrorism chief” and more time running his department this
type of incident would not occur.
— John Ost, Manhattan
Tags: letters to the editor
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Drink a block: Amsterdam Ave., btwn 80th and 84th sts.
Photo credit: Urbanite
Friends hang out at 420 Bar & Lounge. (Marie Claire Andrea)
By Alexis Korman
The Upper West Side has seen a dining renaissance, with NYC favorites such as Fatty Crab and Mermaid Inn opening outposts there. After a good meal, it’s only appropriate to head to a solid watering hole. While some spots along Amsterdam Avenue are more appropriate for drinkers looking to relive their fraternity-house days, these spots between 80th and 85th streets are laid-back but offer something other than beer pong as a source of entertainment.
420 Amsterdam Ave., at 80th Street, 212-579-8450
You may smirk at the name of this lounge, but there’s no smoking of any kind allowed. (“420” is just the address). Behind the velvet curtains lies a dim drinking den with two stories, three bars and a long happy hour (drink specials last until 8 p.m.). A DJ also spins hip-hop and top 40 hits most nights.
450 Amsterdam Ave., btwn 81st and 82nd sts., 212-595-5670
Opened by a former English teacher, this Irish pub offers serious beer variety: 16 choices on tap and a dozen by the bottle. True Guinness fans who think they can knock back 100 pints (not in just one night, thank goodness) should consider joining the 100 Pints Club, in which bartenders track the progress of regulars over time. The prize? Having your name inscribed on a plaque above the bar.Fred’s
476 Amsterdam Ave., at 83rd Street, 212-579-3076
Dog lovers will adore Fred’s, which was named after a black Labrador Retriever and whose walls are covered with portraits of neighborhood pooches. Looking to learn some new tricks? Pick up one of the bar’s board games for a little friendly competition. Furthering the animal theme are gratis Goldfish crackers for imbibers. Fred’s also offers an affordable dinner menu (burgers, mac and cheese, pasta, sandwiches) and a smaller twilight menu, served from 3:30 to 5 p.m.
477 Amsterdam Ave., at 83rd Street, 212-787-7199
Martinis are the name of the game at this retro, eclectically decorated bar, where every night of the week brings a different drink special, such as $5 cosmos on Thursdays and Saturdays and $13.95 pitchers of beer on Mondays and Tuesdays. And if you don’t like the bar’s song selection, head to its “15 Minutes of Fame” party on Friday nights, which gives patrons just that — 15 minutes each to play whatever tunes they want from an iPod.
489 Amsterdam Ave., btwn 83rd and 84th sts., 212-496-0777
Games including Buck Hunter, Pac-Man and air hockey give the Blue Donkey a retro vibe. Between game rounds, grab low-priced beers (starting at $3) and $1 sliders served on donuts (instead of buns) from the attached Homer’s World Famous.
Tags: bars
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Viral video: Break dance, break skulls
Not sure if this was part of the routine...
Tags: viral video, television, break dance, failblog
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Outdoor festivals: The season is upon us
Photo credit: Urbanite
Just outside Our Lady of Mount Carmel on 115th Street between 1st and Pleasant Avenues the Giglio Boys performed their annual Dance of the Giglio where roughly 100 men carry a wooden, five story, hand-sculpted tower while a brass band plays Italian folk songs. (RJ Mickelson/amNY)
By Elaine Paoloni
The scent of pulled pork wafting through a park. Jazz music softly bouncing off brownstone facades. Performers entertaining all ages in the middle of a usually bustling street. While the warm weather is cause alone for celebration, there’s nothing better than bringing the party outdoors. Here are a few of our favorite upcoming al fresco festivals:
Tribeca Family Festival Street Fair
May 2, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Greenwich St., btwn Chambers and Hubert sts.
FREE
Tribeca’s annual family day is a two-part event featuring a family-themed film festival and an outdoor celebration full of games, family activities, food from local restaurants and stage performances. “We’re partnering with American Express for a cool cooking demonstration stage,” said Nancy Schafer, executive director of the Tribeca Family Festival. “And at the Tribeca/ESPN Sports Film Festival [occurring simultaneously with the fair] there are interactive sports displays for kids of all ages.”
Ye Old Village Fair
212-366-1451
May 16, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Bedford St., btwn Morton and Christopher sts.; Barrow St., btwn Seventh Ave. S. and Hudson St.; Commerce St., btwn Seventh Ave. S. and Barrow St.
FREE
This neighborhood festival couldn’t be more picturesque, with a backdrop of quaint brownstones on winding West Village streets. The main stage, where varying acts of live music swap out during the day, is surrounded by a dance area. There may be the requisite street fair kebabs and lemonade, but there are also homemade baked goods and beer and wine. The lineup of hawkers likewise has a neighborhood bent: In addition to tube socks and pashminas are arts-and-crafts vendors offering limited-edition work.Museum Mile Festival
June 9, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Fifth Ave., btwn 82nd and 105th sts.
FREE
It’s not every day you can visit nine of the city’s top cultural institutions for free. It’s also not every day you can spill out onto Fifth Avenue for 23 traffic-free blocks. “It’s one big block party,” said Robin Schatell, festival coordinator. “It’s the only time the avenue is closed to traffic and it’s not a parade.” Whether you start at the top at El Museo del Barrio or at the bottom at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, there’s lots of fun along the way: chalk drawing, live music, clowns, jugglers, drawing classes and more.
June 13-14, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Madison Square Park
FREE
From the Carolinas to Texas, 14 pitmasters from around the nation showcase their talents alongside some local favorites at this tribute to sweet, smoky meats. “You can taste authentic pit barbecue from some of the best pitmasters for $8 a plate — far less than what it costs to travel to their hometowns,” said Kenny Callaghan, co-founder of the event. Buy a $100 FastPass in advance and you can cut the lines — it includes $100 worth of food credit. Live music, seminars and cooking demonstrations round out the day.
July 12, procession starts about 1 p.m.
275 N. 8th St., Williamsburg
FREE
If you’re fascinated by rituals, Our Lady of Mount Carmel’s Dance of the Giglio is tradition at its best. The giglio is a 4-ton, 65-foot tower that sits atop a float flanked by poles, which burly Brooklyn men hoist into the air periodically, making the float “dance.” They inch their way to the intersection of Havemeyer and North 8th streets, where the giglio meets another float known as la barca. The whole dance lasts into the evening. In between the strongman show, you can enjoy Italian food, drink and music.
Self Magazine Workout in the Park
May 9, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Rumsey Playfield, Central Park
$15 advance tickets only, includes one-year subscription to Self magazine
Runners and cyclists aren’t the only ones who can take their workout to the park. At this women’s magazine-sponsored event, New Yorkers come out not only for killer classes such as Stiletto Strength, Beach Body and Rock Bottom, but there are beauty treatments and product samples to be had. Jump to your heart’s content in the Rebounding Zone. Yoga and Pilates instruction are offered in the Quiet Zone.
Tastes around town
If your main craving is for food, then head to these culinary festivals, where you can sample the flavors of each neighborhood:
• Taste of the Lower East Side (May 7), grandstreet.org
• Taste of Tribeca (May 16), tasteoftribeca.org
• New Taste of the Upper West Side (May 30), newtasteuws.com
• Taste of Times Square (June 8), timessquarenyc.org
• Taste of LIC (June 9), licnyc.com
Tags: entertainment
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Bone marrow drive for 5-year-old New Yorker
Photo credit: Urbanite
Help little Kai. Almost five years old, he's living with a rare form of leukemia and needs a bone marrow transplant. The test to find out if you can donate is fast and easy — just a Q-tip swabbed inside your cheek.
Here are the details:
Saturday, May 2
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Montessori School of Manhattan, 53 Beach St., btwn Hudson and Greenwich sts. Call 212-334-0400 for more information.
Friday, May 8 and Saturday, May 9
Whole Foods, 270 Greenwich St., btwn Murray and Warren sts. Call 917-287-4039 for more information.
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Street graffiti in Manhattan: 'V' for vexed
Photo credit: Urbanite
My colleagues and I have, for several weeks, been searching for the meaning behind the serif "V" spray-painted at the entrances of at least two subway stations along 34th Street. What do they stand for? What haven't they been removed? Who put them there? Is it this guy, below?
— Emily Ngo
Tags: manhattan, art, subway, mystery, the alphabet, graffiti
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Snapple to buy New Yorkers two slices and a drink
Photo credit: Urbanite
Wow, it’s just like 1994: Two slices and a Snapple, please.
Snapple, on the comeback trail with its new look and high-fructose-free iced tea, thinks it has found the way into New Yorkers’ hearts: Free pizza at some of the city’s best pizzerias.
Snapple has developed a promotion that is likely to draw lines around the block next week. Every weekday next week, the company will give away two slices and a Snapple to 500 customers at different locations. The company also said that throughout next week it will give away 150,000 Snapples at locations throughout the city.
Here is the pizza schedule that includes a date at Famous Joe’s on Carmine:
Monday, 10:30 a.m., Spinelli Pizza at 425 Seventh Ave., between 33rd and 34th streets
Tuesday, 10:30 a.m., Famous Joe's Pizza at 7 Carmine Street, between Bleecker Street and Sixth Avenue
Wednesday, 10:30 a.m., Silver Spoon Diner at 58-21 Junction Blvd. in Queens
May 7, 10:30 a.m., My Little Pizza at 114 Court St., between Atlantic Avenue and State Street in Brooklyn
May 8, 10:30 a.m., Mezza Lunna Pizza at 98 Eighth Ave., corner of 15th Street
The first 500 customers get the deal.
Tags: snapple, free pizza, new york city, famous joe's pizza, spinelli pizza, my little pizza, silver spoon diner, mezza lunna, restaurants, advertising
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MTA annouces "beyond doomsday" scenario for straphangers
Photo credit: Urbanite
Members of the Facebook group "1,000,000 People Against the NYC MTA Fare Hike" protest in Union Square Tuesday.
(Photo courtesy Transportation Alternatives)
By Heather Haddon
Imagine no late night subways in New York City.
That scenario — once seemed impossible in the “city that doesn’t sleep” — may be an option now that the MTA’s finances have gotten so bad.
Nothing “is off the table,” MTA chief Elliot Sander said yesterday after the agency board meeting.
Facing a $2.8 billion deficit by 2010, Sander said that the agency is forced to consider a second round of fare hikes, service cuts and layoffs to implement this year that are “beyond doomsday.”
“They are just unbelievably difficult and I think some would view them as horrific,” Sander said.
Off-peak service and routes outside the core of Manhattan are especially vulnerable, according to a source close to the agency. And while ending overnight subway service is a possibility, Sander said he thought it wouldn’t save much money.With service already about to be scaled back and a fare hike on tap for May 31, the MTA is still pinning its hopes on Albany to deliver a bailout that would stall another drastic batch of cuts.
“The time for action has come,” MTA board chair Dale Hemmerdinger said. “At this point today, there is no tomorrow. There is no next week, there is no next month.”
MTA officials characterized any further cuts as especially painful since the agency will already be eliminating or reducing service on five subway lines and dozens of bus routes to save $1.2 billion this year.
“I’m pissed,” said Noam Tidhar, 35, an Upper West Side straphanger. “People are angry and furious about the first fare hike, let alone a second one.”
It would be the first time in MTA history that the agency increased fares twice in a year.
With a sense of urgency, the MTA board yesterday unanimously agreed to adopt an 18-month budget in order to speed up voting on cost reduction measures by six months — to this June. Agency officials argue that the sagging economy has continued to slash their revenues from taxes and toll and fare collections, leaving them with few options.
“This is the start of a serious shrinkage of the transit system,” said Gene Russianoff of the Straphangers Campaign, an advocacy group.
Meanwhile, in Albany yesterday, Gov. David Paterson said he had a “new idea” for a MTA bailout that could pass the Legislature, but he wouldn’t divulge any details. The Senate is expected to vote on a bill next week that includes an 8 percent fare hike, payroll tax and a $1 surcharge on taxis.
Newsday contributed to this report
Effective dates for doomsday cuts and fare increases:
May 31 - Fares increase up to 30 percent
June 28 - Dozens of bus routes eliminated or scaled back
July 26 - Station clerks yanked from 158 locations
Late Fall - Five subway lines closed or reduced
Timeline for second round of reductions:
May 27 - Outline proposal for service cuts or fare hikes
June 30 - MTA board vote on the plan
As soon as summer - Hold public hearings
As early as fall - Implement service cuts or fare increases
Tags: transit
