No one knows for sure what’s to become of the future Union Square pavilion, but a strong contender for the space – formerly occupied by the shabby Luna Park – is a new restaurant helmed by Danny Meyer, who opened the Union Square Café in ’85 and whose Shake Shack in Madison Square Park is an object of obsession. Construction begins on a new pavilion this winter, but some insiders are betting Meyer wins the......

On this very day 105 years ago Thomas Edison electrocuted an elephant meant to give rides and carry heavy items on Coney Island...all in the name of science! His science. He came to Coney to prove George Westinghouse and Nikola Tesla's alternating current (AC) was dangerous, whereas his competing direct current was completely safe. In fact, Edison was the one who convinced New York to use the dangerous and deadly AC for their electric chair.Edison......

The early Thursday morning fight in Union Square was apparently set off by a diss. The Post reports that the victims were all affiliated with gangs and the "violence appeared to have stemmed from a show of 'disrespect.'" The police confirmed that a fight did occur at the McDonald's at East 17th Street and Broadway, but it's still unclear if that fight continued on into the park, where a gunman later fired, injuring four people.......

According to Carousel News, "The New York City Economic Development Corporation (“NYCEDC”) is seeking a consultant or consultant team for restoration and reconstruction of the historic B&B Carousell." Of the many wooden carousels that adorned Coney Island, this is the last remaining one -- and was purchased by the city for $1.8 million two years ago. When it was last operational, it stood near the old entrance to Luna Park, surrounded by furniture shops. To......

Jill Cunniff keeps a blog (a "MamaLog") about being a mom and a musician in New York, but you probably know her best as the lead singer and bass player of early-90s band Luscious Jackson. The band broke up in 2000, but Jill is still creating and performing music - all while being a mom, a wife, and doing her part to clean up New York's beaches. This weekend she'll perform at the Mermaid Parade......

Winter is usually a quiet time for New York graffiti-- but Deuce Seven has been warming up the scene for the last month. Pieces have appeared all over LES, Williamsburg, and even up on Williamsburg Bridge. No clue where the artist is from-- although the earliest pictures on Flickr seem to indicate a Midwest extraction-- possibly Minneapolis? Tons more pix on Flickr-- try the "Deuse Seven" variant spelling as well. And speaking of New York......

On Monday, police were investigating a hit-and-run death on the West Side Highway. A man was hit by a southbound vehicle at West 12th Street at 3:45AM, and the police were trying to find out who was driving - and who the victim even was, as police didn't find any identification on the body. And now it looks like the victim was Brooklyn resident Josh Crouch. The Post reports that friends say he was headed......

If you're a Coney Island history buff, you'll love this map of old Coney Island, complete with postcard images taken at various locations (click the red dots). We wish all the old amusement parks were still open: especially Dreamland, Luna Park, and Steeplechase. [Related: FNY on Coney Island, more FNY Coney Island, Coney Island's official website, some Coney Island pictures, and Coney Island at night.]......

Groups of citizens and politicians are gearing up to fight Union Square's planned restaurant on the north end. Protesters claim that the city should increase the amount of play space, instead of putting in Luna Park, which is part of the city's $14 million plan to restore the park. NY1 reports state Senator Thomas Duane as saying, "What is one thing we don't need in this neighborhood? Another incredibly expensive restaurant." Or does the Parks......

Yesterday, the Mayor, City Council, and Parks Department announced a $14 million project to renovate Union Square Park, with focus on the north end. According to the City, the project will include "unification and expansion of two existing playgrounds, a year-round restaurant and a decoratively paved plaza for the Greenmarket farmer’s market and public event." Yes, Luna Park, the outdoor restaurant near the "dilapdated" Pavilion will be replaced by a restaurant. This decision was questioned......

Hurricaine Isabel forced the Harvest in the Square Event to be rescheduled tonight. In its eighth year, Harvest in the Square brings Union Square area chefs to offer tastings of food prepared from Union Square Greenmarket Farmers Market, accompanied by Long Island and other New York Wines. Tickets are $90 in person (cash only), $75 in advance, and will benefit the Union Square Local Development Corporation, which is currently looking to enhance the North Plaza......

The Department of Mental Health and Hygeine has fined 524 NYC restaurants for violating the new no-smoking laws between May 1 and August 29. The Post reports that 40 of those restaurants are three time violators, which means they could be shut down. Some establishments (like movie theaters) are being ticketed for not having proper signage. Which may be why, as the Daily News says, why Blue Hill was fined as it doesn't seem like......