When Vice President Joe Biden isn't giving hot dogs out to the troops, he's making them gift packages. Yesterday morning, Biden attended the reading of the names of the 9/11 victims at Zuccotti Park, along with Mayor Bloomberg and Gov. Paterson. Afterwards, he and wife Dr. Jill Biden made a surprise visit to PS 140, where the care packages and cards were being made, as part of 911 Day of Service. Also volunteering was singer Jordin Sparks, the American Idol winner. more ›

Yesterday's lovely weather made the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade a big crowd pleaser. An estimated 3.5 million spectators watched as giant balloons, floats, and hundreds of parade performers sauntered from 77th and Central Park West to Herald Square. Some people waited since 4AM in hopes of catching a glimpse of their favorite performers, who included Dolly Parton, Wynonna, the cast of Legally Blonde, American Idol winner Jordin Sparks, Good Charlotte, Menudo (really!), the Rockettes... more ›

• Today on the Gothamist Newsmap: a double shooting at Belmont and Christopher Aves. in Brooklyn, a body was found on Otis Ave.on Staten Island, and there was a jumper up on the Brooklyn Bridge this afternoon.
• The Gotham Book Mart is closing and having a going-out-of-business sale.
• There's a new Subway Idol. American Idol is in America's hands now with a slight NYC vote for Staten Island-born Jordin Sparks necessitating our regional favor.
• If one is dumb enough to write in for "apartment therapy", one is dumb enough to paint over exposed brick. We hope this couple's ouija board doesn't recommend installing wall-to-wall shag carpeting, because we will go over there and exorcise the place ourself.
• Pictures of New Yorkers getting tattooed at last weekend's TattooCon.
• Rosie O'Donnell was bilked out approximately $70,000 by someone passing stolen checks from her production company account. It was nearly a non-story until we read the culprit's Mom's reaction: '"He's a very good boy," Mitchell said. "This is out of character."'
• A portion of the East Village was left waterless after a water main break flooded 2nd Ave. Do you live on 7th St. between 2nd and 3rd Aves.? Send us your pics!
• The NY Post can only pray so hard: are Amy Fisher and Joey Buttafuoco back together as a couple? Shot-in-the-face-former-wife Mary Jo doesn't care and we applaud her indifference.