A Queens nonprofit connected to Assemblywoman Vivian Cook spent $560,500 in cash to buy a vacant lot containing nothing but "a decrepit shed, a beat-up picnic table and a dirty paint can"—even though the property's value was only estimated at $287,000, according to the Post. Using money from the Port Authority intended to win community support for the construction of the AirTrain line, the nonprofit purchased the over-priced lot and spent $255,625 on "street cleaning" and "street maintenance," even though the city already provides street sweeping. more ›

If it's winter, it's time for the Bronx Zoo's Holiday Lights. The lights, which are in the 10th year, have been up since November. This weekend, there's a Dinosaurs Rock exhibition between 5PM and 9PM where kids can dig for dinosaur fossils - and there are lighted displays of dinosaurs, too. more ›

If there was ever a call to donate money to Sumatran Rhinoceros preservation efforts, then none can be as heartbreaking as the NY Times' Christmas Eve story about Rapunzel the Bronx Zoo rhino who was euthanized earlier this week. Apparently, Rapunzel, whose estimated age was 30, about half of which was spent in the Bronx, had trouble moving and breathing this week. This telling of her life was very sweet:

In the summer, she usually stayed outdoors and swam in a pool. In the cold months, she split display time in an indoor exhibit with a pair of Malay tapirs. more ›

Animals. Twinkle lights. Crisp December weather. Tons of little kids running around. The Bronx. All of these things are part of the formula that make the Bronx Zoo's Holiday Lights a sight to behold. Gothamist decided to head to the Bronx to actually see them, after we posted about it, and we're glad that we did. It's romantic, fun, and somewhat surreal, because you don't exactly know where you're going and sometimes you can't quite make out if there are fences at some of the outdoor exhibits. more ›