Miscellaneous

The first ever "professional" dreidel league will host its debut matches in Williamsburg on Dec. 12 — the second day of Hanukkah. In an article laden with Borscht Belt-style puns, the Brooklyn Paper reports on Major League Dreidel, which is expected to draw 100 participants to the Knitting Factory on Metropolitan Avenue to compete in the classic top-spinning game. League founder Eric Harris Pavony tells the paper: “MLD validates the dreidel as a bona-fide sport — and its elite are recognized and respected like professional athletes. However, they are paid in chocolate money.” more ›

Today's mid-day links: The mom who left her 2-year-old in the car while she shopped at Wal-Mart is a lawyer AND 9 months pregnant, a 100-year-old woman was granted an honorary diploma from her SI high school, Goldman Sachs sets rules for employees hanging out during the holidays and more. more ›

Today's end-of-day links: Police are looking for a suspect in a sexual assault at Ave B & 14th, it's Black Friday all the time on Canal Street, Courtney Love was making out with a much younger actor and going to strip clubs on Thanksgiving, a British couple says they were sexually assaulted in a "Clockwork Orange" style attack in Thailand and more. more ›

Today's mid-day links: Russia says a bomb that was planted on train tracks and killed at least 26 was a terrorist attack, a Lower East Side woman is critically injured from a fire, Stagedoor Manor campers loved performing in the Thanksgiving Day Parade and more. more ›

Today's end-of-day links: Companies have been less willing to make holiday hires, Bill Thompson still quiet on Senate rumors, little Jasmina didn't meet the President because she was taken to the hospital, the FAA released transcripts from the incident where pilots overshot their destination and more. more ›

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

Today's mid-day links: Deep-fried turkeys mean the very real possibility of a fire, a man tried to shoplift two suits by stuffing them into his pants, volunteers were out in force on Thanksgiving, and more. more ›

Today's end-of-day links: Roman Polanski will be under house arrest, neighbors rally around an elderly Brooklyn couple who lost their home, a Thanksgiving Eve suicide on the Upper West Side, and more. more ›

Today's mid-day links: The subway murder suspect was hospitalized, Dubai may be broke, the John Gotti Jr. jury can't discuss the case during Thanksgiving, looking back at Sugar Ray's Harlem and more. more ›

Today's late-breaking links: Toyota announces a massive recall, Twilight-brand heroin hits the streets, 11 Spring Street sells for 50% off, Sheldon Silver buys a Carvel cake, Swiss judges offer Roman Polanski bail, and reasons why Sarah Palin will never be president. Plus more! more ›

Today's mid-day links: The city will pay six figures to an autistic man "railroaded" into confessing that he killed his sister, the skyscraper planned for the Port Authority won't have a big tenant, the Gotti Jr. jury keeps at it, former Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno really loves golf and more. more ›

Today's end-of-day links: Governor Paterson really wants to deal with the budget, a Kentucky census worker apparently tried to make his suicide look like a homicide, raves for Fela! and more. more ›

Today's mid-day links: The NYPD names who will be in charge of 9/11 terror trial security, NJ's gay marriage efforts may be stunted, Suffolk County bans drop-side cribs and more. more ›

Today's mid-day links: An insurance man is getting business from his subway station set-up, Junior Gotti jurors are deliberating again, AOL's new brand identity sucks, and more. more ›

Today's end-of-day links: The family of the 15-year-old shot by a stray bullet isn't having Thanksgiving until she's home from the hospital, Samuel L. Jackson is moving in next to Nick Denton (hello, Gawker Stalker!), a water bug on the restaurant wall doesn't mean a free meal, and more. more ›

Links from the -ist sites around the world: Gothamist learned Sad Panda's sad story, DCist caught up with the dapper gents and ladies on the DC Tweed Ride, Chicagoist reeled from news that Oprah was ended her show in 2011, SFist yearned for a McRib comeback and more. more ›

Today's mid-day links: Three NYC-area students won Rhodes Scholarships, Schumer is going after frequent flier programs, various ethnic chicken soups for your cold, the first day sales number for Sarah Palin's new memoir and more. more ›

Today's end of day links: Senate Democrats get 60 votes to debate health care reform, the TLC can get more hybrid cabs, Levi Johnston's not-full-frontal Playgirls pics are out, and more. more ›

Today's mid-day links: The Fort Hood shooting suspect had reportedly "intensified communications with a radical Yemeni American cleric," the slur "spic" was debated at El Museo del Barrio, a man was arrested for DWI with his 5-year-old daughter in the car and more. more ›

Today's end of day links: Obama's approval rating is 49% (according to Gallup), Jayson Williams' plea deal sentencing was delayed because he didn't show up in court, Tavern on the Green has a back-up name, a wrongfully imprisoned-for-18-years man was released, and more. more ›

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

Today's mid-day links: Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor forgot her purse at a Brooklyn restaurant, when strangers donate kidneys to strangers, Bloomberg calls Bill Thompson a "quality honest guy," the case against the British man who strangled his wife was dropped and more. more ›

Today's end-of-day links: The MTA's budget for next year doesn't include fare hikes or service cuts, a Brooklyn Assemblyman is considering buying some property in an Arab neighborhood (in Jerusalem), Lost will premiere on February 2, and more. more ›

Today's mid-day links: Merriam-Webster's word of the year is "admonish," the Conservative who lost an upstate House race says Acorn stole the election, AOL is looking to cut 1/3 its staff, and more. more ›

From the mid-day links: Sarah Palin calls Obama's economic plan "back ass-wards," LES residents wants their post office, a CT police officer was charged with manslaughter for killing two teens while driving 94 MPH, and more. more ›

Today's mid-day links: A big water main break in Staten Island, a man got beaten up by his lover and his lover's dad, a seven-figure deal for a NY Times correspondent to write a book about the Obamas, and more. more ›

From the Gothamist Newsmap: Obama sits down with Fox News tonight, Joe Bruno's secretary hated working for him so much that she stole money from his personal account, city school received their third report cards, what burning money looks like (aka, photos of Twitter's offices) and more. more ›

Today's mid-day links: Post readers ridicule Obama's bow to the Japanese emperor, a 19-year-old accused of setting three fires to a downtown apartment building still lives there, free flatbread from Jamba Juice, the passing of The Equalizer and more... more ›

Today's end-of-day links: "Unfriend" is the Oxford Dictionary's word of the year, the NY State spends a lot on Medicaid, a food pantry fire may have been arson, Glenn Beck and Bill O'Reilly are headed on tour (and to Long Island!), and more. more ›

The following post is from our advertiser, Focus Features. Pirate Radio is the newest ensemble comedy from filmmaker Richard Curtis (screenwriter of Four Weddings and a Funeral and Notting Hill, and writer/director of Love Actually). This high-spirited film tells the story of 8 DJs whose love affair with Rock n Roll changed the world forever. In the 1960s a group of rogue DJs, on a boat in the middle of the Northern Atlantic, played rock records and broke the law all for the love of music. The songs they played united and defined an entire generation and drove the British government crazy. The band of rebels is lead by The Count, played by Academy Award Winner Philip Seymour Hoffman. Pirate Radio also stars Bill Nighy, Rhys Ifans, Nick Frost, Kenneth Branagh, and Tom Sturridge, and features an unbelievable selection of music including The Rolling Stones, The Who, The Kinks, Cream, and The Beach Boys, just to name a few. Pirate Radio in theatres now! more ›

Today's mid-day links: The Post is 208 years old, a tax "hall of shame" website may be in the works, possible foreclosure for the Trump Soho, and more. more ›

Today's end of day links: Mayor Bloomberg's media company wants to rule the world, the Boss tells a Michigan crowd "Hello, Ohio," Stuy Town residents want to keep their rent-stabilized rents and more. more ›

Today's mid-day links: Ellis Island was evacuated over harmless white powder, farmers in the tri-state area had a terrible season, the Pentagon is barring the release of detainee abuse photographs, and more. more ›

Today's end-of-day links: Fines for chatty cabbies delayed, the State Senate is fighting education funding cuts, Rep. King is standing by his statement that some mosques stand in the way of law enforcement and more. more ›

Today's mid-day links: A Daily News reporter broke the news about John Wetteland's possible suicide attempt to Mariano Rivera, a mumps outbreak is growing, Brooklyn Bridge Park got grassed and more. more ›

Today's end-of-day links: A Staten Island high school girl is fighting for her life after being hit by a car outside the school, former Senate majority leader Joe Bruno got a talking-to from the judge at his corruption trial, a bid budget bike messenger movie set in NYC is being planned, Mayor Bloomberg is amazed at Brooklyn's restaurant scene, and more. more ›

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

Today's mid-day links: A detective was found not guilty of tipping off drug informants, Americans shoplifted a lot last year, Trader Joe's is headed to Chelsea and more. more ›

• From the Gothamist Newsmap: A suspicious package at Hamilton Pl & W 142nd in Manhattan, a barricaded EDP at 30 Ave V & W13 St in Brooklyn, and a jumper down on the Throgs Neck Bridge in the Bronx.
• The U.S. military will seek the death penalty against accused Fort Hood shooter Major Nidal Malik Hasan, who now faces 13 counts of premeditated murder.
• Singer Chris Brown was heckled in Manhattan last night (video)—a woman yelled, "F---king beater. You belong in jail ... you feel like a man?"

Today's mid-day links: A subway track worker wants to head the Transit Workers Union, two-year community colleges are more selective, Bon Jovi is playing at Cuomo's birthday fundraiser, and more. more ›

• From the Gothamist Newsmap: A truck vs. building at Bowery & Canal in Manhattan, a hazmat/burn victim on University Plaza and Flatbush in Brooklyn and a fuel spill at Bronx Expressay & Rosedale ramp in the Bronx.
• When envelopes are scary: The Lithuanian Mission had hazmat teams check out the suspicious envelope it received...but the envelope had no powder, white or otherwise, in it.
• At a panel about New York's financial crisis last night, Lieutenant Governor Richard Ravitch said, "New York is in serious trouble."

Today's mid-day links: A woman was raped on a Harlem rooftop, Senators Schumer and Menendez say nearly 10,000 veterans are homeless in the NYC area, a man dug through tons of garbage to find his wife's wedding ring, and more. more ›

Today's end-of-day links: A Madoff associate's estate may give up billions to victims, the city judge who okayed Bloomberg's third term passed away, Tracy Morgan's shocking standup act shocked attendees, the DOT's wishy-washy behaviors towards bike shelters and more. more ›

Today's mid-day links: NY State is terrible at awarding GEDs, a bible stolen during WWII is headed back to Vienna, the State Senate will investigate Hiram Monserrate, and more. more ›

Today's end-of-day links: The stock market jumped up, a suspected Central Park mugger was released, people like their carbs more than fat, and more. more ›

Today's mid-day links: A 5-alarm fire shakes up a Bronx community, the Queens GOP thinks it's ready for a comeback next year, a black woman claims a white cop handcuffed her for no reason, Steven Tyler has allegedly quit Aerosmith and more. more ›

Today's end-of-day links: Hurricane Ida is headed towards Louisiana, Corzine is in St. Bart's, Hideki Matsui's translator got a key to the city, and more. more ›

This week's links from over -ist sites: In LA, a man was found guilty on several charges after deliberately slamming his brakes to block a cyclist behind him; in DC, a local gay couple got engaged during the council's hearing on whether to legal same-sex marriage in the capital; in Toronto, the big city paper announced to outsource 100 union editing jobs; and more. more ›

Today's mid-day links: President Obama will attend a service for victims of the Fort Hood massacre on Tuesday, the state is saving money by cutting down on personal printers, alternate side of the street parking returns to some neighborhoods, and more. more ›

Today's end-of-day links: The House may vote on health care reform tonight, the Village Gate's founder was thinking about reviving the club before his death, Columbia gets a luxury dorm in Riverdale, and more. more ›

Today's mid-day links: A fatal house fire in Queens, swine flu vaccine is available to students at weekend clinics, dog owners say good-bye to a Washington Square Park dog run friend, and more. more ›

Today's end-of-day links: Dystonia girl mysteriously cured, Chris Christie won't live in the Governor's mansion, a 15-year sentence for a woman who killed her abusive father, Brooklyn fish poachers arrested and more. more ›

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

• From the Gothamist Newsmap: A jumper up on E 85th St in Manhattan, a CO incident on Henry Hudson Pkwy in the Bronx, and a MVA at Harding Expy & Bell Blvd in Queens.
• Fourteen people were charged in the widening insider trading probe. The U.S Attorney said they were "common criminals” who took a “page from drug-dealer handbooks."
• A scalper selling tickets outside Yankee Stadium tried to bribe a cop with tickets.

Today mid-day links: A group of teen girls beat up an old woman in Brooklyn, retailers had a better quarter, a push to make it a felony to drive drunk with passengers under age 16, Woody Allen did spend quality time with Bergman and more. more ›

Today's end-of-day links: Seasonal flu vaccine shortage, an off-duty police officer in Westchester accidentally fatally shot his friend, Glenn Beck is struck with appendicitis, and more. more ›

Today's mid-day links: AG Cuomo goes after Intel, knife-wielding J train passenger, Jim Nantz's hefty divorce payout wasn't as big as it could have been, and more. more ›

Today's end-of-day links: Both mayoral candidates think they'll be victorious, the Wall Street Journal is going local, Kate Hudson thinks guys are "easy for figure out" and more. more ›

• From the Gothamist Newsmap: A found grenade at 146st & 115th Ave in Queens, an armed robbery at 12th St & 6th Ave in Manhattan and a shooting at Van Cortlandt Park S & Dickerson Av in the Bronx.
• A triple shooting in the Wingate section of Brooklyn has left one dead and two others injured.
• The U.S. Supreme Court will not hear an appeal from the Bridgeport Archdiocese, which is attempting to stop the release of documents related to sex abuse cases.

Today's end-of-day links: Governor Paterson's Yankee tickets, Biden upstate, San Francisco raccoons love mass transit, and more. Also, check out this photograph of an inspirational marathoner! more ›

The following post is from our advertiser, Regus.

Breaking news: Fame cancels out conviction. Reality television star Jon Gosselin shared this late-breaking, profound information last night with celebrity Rabbi Shmuley Boteach and a live audience at New York City's West Side Jewish Center. He even begged the media to leave him alone, "Thank you guys for showing up tonight, but please, stop showing up... I didn't ask for this [fame]... I hardly ever go out in New York because of it. The paparazzi are everywhere here." more ›

Today's mid-day links: A Brooklyn teen is hit by a BB gun, Newsday columnist quits over website paywall, the Cyclone's operator has never been on it, people did get married the day after JFK was assassinated and more. more ›

• From the Gothamist Newsmap: An overturned auto on the Hutchinson Bridge in the Bronx, an evidence search on Beach Channel Dr in Queens and a fatal shooting at Clara St in Brooklyn.
• A Yale student from Long Island was found dead in his dorm room. There is no evidence of foul play.
• Take a ride on Derek Jeter—the Derek Jeter Bridge, that is.

News from around the ist-a-verse: Phillyist really hates the Yankees, SFist watched the Bay Bridge and Gavin Newsom's gubernatorial bid fall apart, DCist visited the Humane Society, Chicagoist enjoyed the magic of Kelly Clarkson, LAist found out how crazy its subway can get, and more. more ›

Today's mid-day links: Corzine wants to emphasize Obama connection, Rudy was bumped by the First Lady, Bronx residents mourn the untimely death of a 92-year-old, and more. more ›