Last year, the federal authorities had been looking for Esther Elizabeth Reed, a woman who faked her way into attending Harvard, Cal State and most recently Columbia University, by using a dead woman's identity. Reed was on the lam, but this past weekend's murders at a mall outside Chicago led the police to Reed, who had been living in the very same town the killings occurred. In 2006, while in NYC, Reed had applied for......

Purebred dogs from across the country are rocking out at Madison Square Garden for the Westminster Kennel Club's 131 Westminster Dog Show. Over 2,600 dogs are competing today and tomorrow for Best in Breed and Best in Show prizes. Many dogs and their owners stay at the Hotel Pennsylvania across the street from MSG, where dogs meet each other and their owners sniff out the competition. You can see the results of today's winners......

The Post has this crazy story about how a woman used various identities to attend schools like Columbia, Harvard, and California State. Naturally, she studied criminology and psychology! It sounds like a Law & Order: Criminal Intent multi-episode arc in the making. The Post reports that Esther Elizabeth Reed used the identity of "Brooke Henson" to attend Columbia as a graduate student, but was exposed when she tried to apply for a summer job as......

Major League Baseball released its Hall of Fame candidates for the 2007 induction and among the thirty-two nominees are four former Mets and eight former Yankees. All of the Mets alum played only briefly for New York, going on to establish themselves with other teams. Of the Yankees on the list, Scott Brosius and Paul O’Neill are the biggest names of the freshmen class. Brosius was the World Series MVP in 1998 and played for......

A look at some noteworthy programs this week: A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (WABC 7, Monday, 8:00 p.m.) The annual showing of this timeless classic Peanuts cartoon is always a must see. Despite being from 1973, the show holds up quite well and is a welcome reminder of simpler times. But would you really eat a Thanksgiving dinner catered by a beagle? He's a Bully, Charlie Brown (WABC 7, Monday, 8:30 p.m.) After the classic Thanksgiving......

Holy moly, the sacred tenent from our childhood science classes, "My Very Eager Mother Just Served Us Nine Pickles," must be revised to something like "My Very Evasive Mouse Just Scared Us Now" as the International Astronomical Union has officially decided that Pluto in not a planet. They took a vote and everything! From the AP:For now, membership [of the planets] will be restricted to the eight ''classical'' planets in the solar system: Mercury,......

Ah, there's nothing like politicians sinking their teeth into a national tragedy for their own gain. Someone on Gothamist Contribute pointed out something happening in the Ohio Senate race between Republican incumbent Mike DeWine and challenger, Representative Sherrod Brown. DeWine's campaign used a doctored photograph of the World Trade Center burning in a television ad that touted his national security platform. According to CNN, "The senator was notified Wednesday by a reporter at U.S. News......

The dumbest streak in recent history is now finished, but not in the way the Yankees wanted. Hideki Matsui broke his wrist while diving to make a catch in the first inning of the Yankees’ 5-3 loss last night. Matsui will need surgery and will probably miss at least three months of the season. For the past three seasons the Yankees bent over backwards to put Matsui in the lineup even when it was......

So it's almost time to go home for the holidays, and you as a New Yorker have to bring the best presents. You know that right? The rest of your non-New Yorker friends and family look to you for your urban hipness, don't let them down. We, of course, suggest the gift of music. Local music. Music that isn't on MTV, because they get that outside of New York. We went to the local music......

With the bowl picture set, how did your team do? Do you think they got robbed by the BCS? Are lucky to be in anything at all, or are just right where they are. Better yet, are you making the trip to watch your team in points south or west? 1. Auburn – They may be #3 in the BCS but we think they would beat either USC or Oklahoma on a neutral field. 2.......

No real changes from last week's poll as there were no upsets and the such. On the plus side, this weekend is championship weekend, which always makes for some good television viewing. 1. Auburn 2. Southern Cal 3. Oklahoma 4. California 5. Utah......

Entering the holiday weekend, the few games that remain on the schedule could go a long way in shaping the bowl picture. Some of the BCS bowl slots are already decided, with a few still open. Most importantly, who will play in the national championship. There are five undefeateds, and while Utah has already finished their season undefeated, they look to be out of the title game no matter the outcome of the other games.......

Another undefeated team loses this week in Wisconsin, and tumbles way down the rankings from last week. Utah moves up to #5, but Boise State is nowhere to be seen after a shootout against San Jose State. Will another undefeated fall this week, or will championship week be a deciding factor for Auburn and Oklahoma? USC plays Notre Dame, OU plays Baylor, Utah faces BYU, Boise State plays Louisiana Tech and Auburn faces Alabama in......

Some changes atop Gothamist's rankings this week. While none of the top 5 teams lost, there are changes in the top 3 spots from last week's rankings. Our computer (Justin S.), with only gut feelings and no formula, likes the Auburn Tigers as this week's #1 team. 1. Auburn – With Oklahoma’s struggles comes a change at the top this week, but the Tigers will be tested immediately with a visit from Georgia this week.......

Because every election day need's a new football poll, here is this week's installment of the Gothamist Top 15 (last week's). Quite an interesting weekend, with the big three in Florida all losing. With six undefeated teams left, the BCS has some shaking out to do, especially if some of those teams pick up a loss. 1. Oklahoma – Well, so much for Ok. St. having trouble scoring on Oklahoma! OU got another great performance......

There is about one month left in the college football's regular season and the match-ups are getting tough. With conference championships and bowl bids on the line, Gothamist is excited to catch the rest of the season. Can the undefeated teams remain undefeated, or will they fall out of the running and out of the favor of the voters? The coming month will tell. If you're wondering where you might be able to watch these......

A rare photo to accompany Gothamist's weekly top 15 rankings. War Eagle indeed. Later this week, we're going to give you a list of places to watch some of the teams on this list. Last week's list and the BCS Rankings are out. 1. Oklahoma – Kansas St. game probably should not have been that close, but somewhat understandable given the let-down after the Texas win. Jason White and Adrian Peterson give the Sooners......

Hmm, these are a little late, but Gothamist was a bit busy, but here are this week's rankings for Div. 1A. Compare and contrast with last week's rankings. 1. Oklahoma – Passing game struggled vs. the Horns, but no worries when you have a freshman RB in Adrian Peterson who can get loose for a deuce and a quarter (225 yards). Another win over Texas, ho hum! 2. Auburn – Wins over Tennessee and LSU......

A great day of college football, including a number of top 25 match-ups, caused some real movement in our poll this week (last week). Look for another great Saturday of college football action this week as Oklahoma meets Texas and Cal travels to USC. 1. Oklahoma – Can Stoops continue his magic against Texas? Sooners have been so dominant in this rivalry that we have to keep picking them until Texas proves they can get......

When meeting friends in the city for Mexican food, Gothamist has learned to accept the fact that sometimes the food itself will leave something to be desired as the lethal margaritas and tequilas take center stage. Never one to rain on our friends' fiestas, we have been known to tuck into some substandard guacamole and not complain, enjoying the atmosphere and overlooking the cuisine. And sure, we've even been known to frequent a neighborhood Mexican......

Loyal Gothamist readers will notice that there is little change in our rankings this week - there simply weren't many upsets or games involving top 25 teams last week. That will certainly change this weekend with several top matchups including LSU vs. UGA, Aub vs. Tenn, and Purdue vs ND. It will be a great weekend for college football junkies/coach potatoes! Naturally Gothamist will be watching every televised game from Noon until 2 am in......

Justin S. brings us his 3rd weekly ranking of the NCAA Division 1A teams. No movement in the top 5 from last week's rankings. 1. Oklahoma – Oregon isn’t great this year, but that’s still a quality win. 2. Miami 3 . Southern Cal – A young team that will improve as the season progresses. Pac 10 is weak, and getting Cal at home sure helps. 4. Georgia – How can a team with so......

The Washington Post's Beltway gossip Lloyd Grove gets ready for his new gig at the Daily News by going heavy on the D.C. screening circuit today. First, he leads with a screening of The Passion, with director Mel Gibson present, for insiders to quell rumors. The invitees skewed to the conservative: Matt Drudge, Peggy Noonan, Cal Thomas and Kate O'Beirne; conservative essayist Michael Novak; President Bush's abortive nominee for labor secretary, Linda Chavez; staff director......