Last year, Mayor Bloomberg spearheaded the Mayoral Interagency Task Force, which combats truancy and chronic absenteeism at city schools, after a report that nearly 20 percent of city elementary school students missed one month of school or more in recent years. But it seems that the program hasn't had quite the desired effects as Bloomberg would have liked. So he's decided to step up his campaign with a surefire way to reach teens: Through the celebrities they idolize. Spare the rod, spoil the celebrity cameo appearance?
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Results tagged “magicjohnson”
Celebrities To Pester Truants To Wake Up For School
Caption This: When Mike Met Magic
Sometimes the Mayor's office puts up pictures on their Twitter feed that leave us speechless. And when those times come we turn to you, our gentle readers. So! Today's picture of Hizzoner with Magic Johnson is captioned "Mayor Mike got to meet someone he really looks up to..." by the Mayor's office, but we think you can do better. Have at it in the comments!
Brooklyn Unions Would Like to Give Magic the Hook
Magic Johnson is sure to be in the spotlight this weekend, with his alma mater Michigan State's place in the Final Four falling on the 30th anniversary of his legendary National Championship with the Spartans. So some Brooklyn union workers are using the extra attention to point out some of the basketball star-turned-entrepreneur's shady business practices. At a rally this week, City Councilwoman Letitia James said, "Magic Johnson should be ashamed of himself. here is nothing magic about what he does. What he does is prey upon poor people." Magic and his business partners have not unionized One Hanson Place, despite 90% of other luxury buildings hiring union workers. Johnson is also a spokesman for Jackson Hewitt and Rent-A-Center, both of which have been accused of predatory business practices. One local union rep said, "It's a disgrace to see Johnson actively promoting businesses that we believe hurt low-income communities."
Sneak Peak: Greenpoint's t.b.d.
Any Greenpoint residents still speculating about renovations to the cavernous space on the corner of Franklin and Green – the one with the big silver garage door and the new lights along the northern wall – now have their answer: A bar called t.b.d. Co-owner Diane Foley explains that she finally gave up trying to come up with a name and just went with what she was using for all the paperwork.
Derek Jeter On Keeping New Yorkers Fit and More
From a new NYC sports club bearing his name to the last season at Yankees Stadium, Derek Jeter has a busy year ahead of him. Gothamist asked the Yankees captain about his partnership with 24 Hour Fitness to bringing 24 Hour Fitness - Derek Jeter gyms to the city and his thoughts on the "house that Jeter built."
Bringing Magic to One Hanson Place
Yesterday at One Hanson Place - better known as the Williamsburgh Savings Bank - was a study in contrasts.
Rent is Too Damn High!
Gothamist was reading our NYC Voter Guide for Manhattan when we noticed an unusual party in the profiles of the mayoral candidates: The Rent is Too Damn High party. Intriguing! We went to James McMillan's profile, and his answers (to the three questions posed to all candidates) were extremely on point. We're reprinting them here in the Voter Guide:
1. WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE IN THE CITY YOU WOULD ADDRESS IF ELECTED? RENT Is Too Damn High there is nothing else to talk about. All poor people are being ran out of New York.more ›
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