Results tagged “grandcanyon”

Queens Council Member Peter Vallone Jr. has introduced a bill that would have Evel Knievel rolling in his grave. If it becomes law, stunt men are going to have a tough time working on their craft in New York, as it would outlaw climbing and jumping off any structure taller than 25 feet; daredevils could get fined and spend up to a year in jail. Alain Robert is not going to be happy about this (video).

Today we have illusionists like David Blaine performing "stunts" in the city, but back in the day there was the real deal stuntman, Evel Knievel. Just after making news by making nice with Kanye West (after suing him over this video), he died yesterday in Clearwater, Florida at the age of 69. The NY Times reports he had "failing health for years with diabetes and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, an incurable lung condition. In 1999, he...

Paul Scheer, Actor/Comedian

When Gothamist saw the news footage of the sinkhole on West 56th Street, between 5th and 6th Avenues, the first thing that came to mind was "It's the Hellmouth!" And what else are New Yorkers supposed to think, when a huge 10 foot deep hole emerges on one of the busiest Midtown streets? A monster pothole? That the streets are unstable? Nah. The New York Times puts it into perspective:

About 7 p.m. Sunday, a privately owned service line connected to the water main on 56th Street broke, and tons of dirt holding up the heavy asphalt above was washed away. With no support, the pavement gave way, opening a 20-by-15-foot chasm in the middle of Midtown and depriving some buildings of hot water and air-conditioning all morning. No one was reported hurt and no cars were lost.

Continue reading "New York's "Natural Wonder": Street Sinkhole"

Three Australian tourists who survived Monday's helicopter crash in the East River spoke to the media yesterday. Greg Fisher, Taryn Fay, and Mary Johnston explained what they went through, saying the seat belts were hard to unbuckle in the water. They even said they loved New York, even though the NY Times noted that they only did so "with sufficient prodding"; they were tightlipped about whether or not they had retained lawyers to, perhaps, sue Helicopter Flight Services, the company offering the tours. One said about the helicopter ride, "I thought it was going to be the best thing we'd do in New York." Far be it from Gothamist to dictate their feelings, but at least they survived. Newsday reports that although they are continuing their trip to Los Angeles, the three have scratched their plans to visit the Grand Canyon via helicopter.