Professor, author and activist Robert Thurman is widely regarded as the leading American expert on Tibetan Buddhism, having been a major force in the widespread introduction of Tibetan culture and religion to the west. In 1962, Thurman became the first American ordained as a Tibetan Buddhist monk, but after a few years he shifted from strict monasticism to the more conventional lifestyle of an academic. Though currently on sabbatical to write another book, Thurman remains......

A look at some of this week's noteworthy television: Elmo’s Christmas Countdown (Sunday, 7:00 p.m., WABC 7) It is a brand new Sesame Street Christmas special complete with an all star guest list providing music and voices like ABC News anchor Charles Gibson voicing a news reading reindeer and Ben Stiller voicing an elf. From the sound of it doesn’t seem like it will wind up being an enduring classic like A Charlie Brown Christmas.......

Yet another culinary transfer point has been added to the many ethnic eateries radiating outwards from the 74 Street/Broadway subway stop in Jackson Heights: Shangrila Express. Yesterday when Gothamist learned that the city's first and only Tibetan food cart had opened near the renowned Sammy’s Halal we couldn’t wait to try it. We approached the cart next to Sammy’s and ordered some momos only to be told they only serve chicken over rice. Upon......

The Dalai Lama has arrived in New York, speaking in his native Tibetan language for two hours yesterday to followers, fans and the faithful at the Javits Convention Center. Newsday reports:He delivered his entire speech without notes, pausing to take a sip of tea only at the end as tears of joy flowed through the crowd. [He stated:] "The Tibetan cause is a cause of justice, and that's something that cannot fade away. That is......

The Cablevision Dolans are planning to sink their claws into another Manhattan space: The Beacon Theatre. A long-term lease has been negotiated between the theater's owner and MSG Entertainment - one that has MSG paying much more than the current tenant, which may mean the Beacon's ticket prices would go up even more. It's expected that MSG would renovate the theater as well as "beef up the Beacon's current roster of concerts with corporate events......

Ever since the Apple store on Fifth Avenue opened its glass doors to the public we knew that eventually somebody was going to throw a story around about its similarities to the Kaaba in Mecca. And so we weren't really at all surprised when we saw this story in the Post today. We were, however, impressed with whomever wrote the articles hed: "QAEDA CUBE BOOBS 'MECCA' BIG STINK." Sadly, the story is pretty much......

The Dalai Lama was in town yesterday to receive a key to NYC - maybe this was his way of celebrating his 70th birthday! The ceremony took place in front of the Farley Post Office, site of the future Moynihan Station, because of the Dalai Lama's friendship with the late Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan, and he said, "With the opening of this new station here in the future, it will contribute to the joy and......

EVENT/MUSIC: It's Children's Day at South Street Seaport this Saturday. With Gordon from Sesame Street, The School House Rock Stage Show and They Might Be Giants! Wait...AND fireworks! [via FreeNYC] Details: Saturday, June 11th // Noon - 10pm (kids stay up that late?) // South Street Seaport Pier 17 // Free After hearing Ana Ng head over to one of these shows this weekend. You could also pre-purchase your ticket for Movable Hype 3.0. All......

Time releases its Time 100 list of influential people for 2005, and it's pretty much the snore it was last year. Much like other magazines whose "most influential list" reads more like a "Who's popular?" or "Who's pretty?" list from high school, Time focuses on names that people have heard of. Sure, some of the people truly make a difference, like Jeffrey Sachs or Javier Solana, but Jamie Foxx and Clint Eastwood? Boring. And the......

The Post kicks off Radiohead's two nights at Madison Square Garden by talking to people who hate Radiohead but have been afraid to admit it because Radiohead are critically beloved and "cool." An entertainment editor says, "Hating Radiohead is the hipster's dirty little secret," and Spin writer Chuck Klosterman, though a fan, can understand the hate as well. "There's definitely now a symbolic value to saying you hate Radiohead - even Kid Rock makes a......