Who's ready for the 2012 Presidential Campaigns to begin? Apparently Chicago dentist William DeJean is, and has paid $5,000 to fund the ads with the catchy slogan, "Where There's A Hill, There's A Way." DeJean said he made the ads because he doesn't believe the country "is headed in the right direction," and the ad says, "Let's make sure the president we should have elected in 2008 will be on the ballot in 2012." Clinton has repeatedly said she has no intention of running for President again, but that's not stopping DeJean; he told CNN he'll pay to have the ads run in Washington, NY, LA and possibly Houston. more ›

Kevin Costner and a group of scientists, including Costner's brother Dan, demonstrated the $24 million dollar machine that uses centrifugal force to separate oil from water in New Orleans earlier this week, hoping to convince BP that it can be used to clean up the oil spilling from the Deepwater Horizon rig. The "Ocean Therapy" machines use centrifugal force to separate oil from water, and have a success rate of about 97%. Ocean Therapy Solutions spokesman John Houghtaling said the resulting water was even good enough to drink! more ›

As engineers prepare to lower a giant containment dome over one of two remaining oil well leaks in the Gulf of Mexico, there is mounting concern that ocean currents will carry the oil slick around Florida, into the Atlantic ocean, and up the Eastern seaboard. A powerful eddy known as the "Loop Current" links to the Gulf Stream, which carries warm water up along the Atlantic Seaboard. The slick is still some 100 miles away from the Loop Current, but according to AccuWeather, "small local spirals, known as eddies, often break off of the Loop Current and could cause the slick to wander and spread just about anywhere." But a University of Miami professor says this is already happening. more ›

Low Five! Using remote control submersible robots, BP has finally managed to put a cap on a leaking drill pipe lying on the Gulf floor about 5,000 feet deep. However, the victory was muted by the fact that the maneuver will not actually reduce the amount of oil being released from two other leaks, which are currently spilling an estimated 210,000 gallons of oil a day. Still, a BP flack tells the Times that this "does enable to us to make progress, to winnow down the focus from three leaks to two." But this thing could get even worse before it gets better. more ›

President Obama has put the blame on oil company and rig owner British Petroleum for the devastating explosion that killed 11 and spilled thousands of gallons of oil in the Gulf of Mexico, harming wildlife and business in the area. While visiting Louisiana this weekend, he announced, "Let me be clear: BP is responsible for this leak. BP will be paying the bill." He has instructed Interior Secretary Ken Salazar to conduct a 30-day study to determine what technological upgrades are needed on new rigs to keep similar accidents from happening, and issued a 10-day ban on recreational and commercial fishing in affected areas. more ›

A state of emergency has been declared in Louisiana as oil from a massive spill in the Gulf of Mexico reportedly washed ashore overnight, threatening fisheries and wildlife in the marshes and islands off the coast. Oil gushing from a blown-out well a mile underwater is estimated to be five times the previous estimate: 5,000 barrels a day, or more than 200,000 gallons. "The oil slick could become the nation's worst environmental disaster in decades, threatening to eclipse even the Exxon Valdez in scope," reports Nola.com. "It imperils hundreds of species of fish, birds and other wildlife along the Gulf Coast, one of the world's richest seafood grounds, teeming with shrimp, oysters and other marine life." more ›

Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-Queens) has taken a lot of criticism for founding a nonprofit accused of pocketing nearly $30,000 of money raised for Hurricane Katrina victims. So the Congressman told the press he would open his books. "I'd love to have you come to my office. We can show you the files of the individuals that we helped," Meeks told NY1. But when a Post reporter took him up on his offer, the Congressman's staff turned the journalist away. more ›

Miss Heather asks, "Have you ever asked yourself what is the difference between Greenpoint and the Ninth Ward of New Orleans other than, say, the latter was pulverized by a cataclysmic force of nature?" Turns out HBO doesn't see much of a difference at all! They'll be turning parts of Meserole Avenue, Jewel and Moultrie Streets into Nola's Ninth this weekend, when they'll film scenes for Treme, a story of Ninth Ward residents "attempting to rebuild their lives after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina." According to the sign the filming will take place Friday to Saturday, from 7 p.m. to 8 a.m., and will involve characters walking and talking on the streets. If you stumble upon the set, send us photos! UPDATE: Oh well, an HBO rep tells us, "While the series is set in New Orleans, the particular scene(s) being filmed this weekend are actually set in New York. So, to clear it up, it’s not New York being made out to look like New Orleans in any capacity." more ›

Remember that conservative kid who punk'd the community organizing group ACORN with a hidden camera, fueling a right-wing backlash against the organization that contributed to Congress cutting their funding? We don't want to disillusion you or anything, but it turns out he's kind of shady. On Monday, James O'Keefe and three pals—all 24 years old—were arrested in New Orleans trying to bug the phones of Louisiana Senator Mary Landrieu's office. Naturally, O'Keefe videotaped the whole thing, so there's that to look forward to. more ›

Having gotten his drink on while waiting for his Jet Blue flight to Mardi Gras in New Orleans in February, Paul Henry Boritzer was in a totally festive mood when he finally boarded the plane. But then the flight attendants had to go and harsh his vibe because he was strolling about the cabin "in a loud and disruptive behavior" ten minutes before take-off. When a flight attendant asked that he return to his seat, he told her he didn't have to follow her rules, because he was a federal air marshal and a U.S. Airway pilot. Lying about that stuff is a no-no, and after the attendant insisted he sit down, Boritzer called her a bitch and asked, "Who do you think you are?" Boritzer remained disruptive throughout the flight, and, according to the Justice Department, threatened a flight attendant who denied him more booze. Needless to say, he didn't make it to Mardi Gras; he was arrested upon arrival and a jury yesterday found him guilty of interfering with a flight crew and impersonating a Federal air marshal. Boritzer will be sentenced in December, and could face a 29 year prison term, a $1 million fine, and the indignity of Will Ferrell portraying him in a movie adaptation. more ›

Almost 2 million residents along the Lousiana coast have evacuated the region as Hurricane Gustav is expected to hit today. After his mandatory evacuation of New Orleans, Mayor Ray Nagin revealed he would be staying in the city, sleeping in City Hall. Nagin also warned, "Looters will go directly to jail. You will not get a pass this time. You will not have a temporary stay in the city. You will go directly to the Big House." more ›

New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin ordered the mandatory evacuation of the city for Sunday morning--the West Bank by 8.a.m. and the East Bank by noon. According to The Times-Picayune, Nagin called Gustav "the mother of all storms...We want 100 percent evacuation. It has the potential to impact every area of this metropolitan... This is worse than a Betsy, worse that a Katrina... You need to be scared and you need to get your butts out of New Orleans right now." more ›

A number of NYC ambulance companies are sending trucks and crews to New Orleans as Tropical Storm Gustav continues to move towards the Gulf Coast. Citywide Mobile Response Corp. spokesman Isaac Newman says FEMA contacted them at 10 p.m. last night to deploy ambulances; Citywide sent five ambulances and 15 crew members on the road this morning. Right now, Gustav is expected to be a major Category 3 hurricane when it reaches Louisiana on Tuesday at 1 a.m., with winds at 115mph. The GOP may consider delaying their convention next week--or making it more low-key--because of Gustav. The White House is also debating whether President Bush should cancel his appearance at the convention, given previous criticism of his handling of Hurricane Katrina. more ›

In May a lavishly appointed homage to New Orleans's French Quarter opened in the theater district. Called Bourbon Street Bar & Grille, the two-story restaurant evokes the Big Easy with gas lamps, wrought iron railings, reclaimed stained glass windows, and a massive high-topped bar that dominates the ground floor lounge, where Allen Boyd's classic New Orleans cocktails are served with all fresh ingredients and accompany a casual dining menu. Upstairs, there is an outdoor patio in the back, a spacious formal dining room, and tables on the front patio, which facilitates fun people-watching down on Restaurant Row. more ›

The holy Shake Shack in Madison Square Park, adored for its succulent burgers, righteous shakes and hellish lines, will soon expand into multiple locations. Owner Danny Meyer has signed a lease for a branch at 366 Columbus Avenue (at 77th Street), the former home of New Orleans import Jacques-Imo's. The new location will be entirely indoors, enabling delicate Upper Wide Siders to do their time on line out of the elements. more ›

Knicks 113 Bobcats 89 Take a long look at this box score, because you probably won’t see another one like it this season. The Knicks won a laugher Wednesday 113-89, dominating Charlotte over the final three quarters of the game. more ›

Barbecue and sushi aren’t the first two cuisines you'd expect to find cohabitating under one roof. Leave it to Jim Goldman, a.k.a Brother Jimmy, to open Lucky Mojo, which features that oddball pairing – plus Tex-Mex and New Orleans fare. An eclectic, highly uneven menu isn’t the only challenge this new Long Island City spot faces. Lucky Mojo’s space has been afflicted with bad juju of late. In the ’90s it was home to the critically acclaimed Pearson’s Texas Barbecue. more ›

While nothing is done until the players actually change teams, the Nets and Mavericks have agreed again on a trade that will send Jason Kidd to Dallas. After Devean George sabotaged the first deal with his refusal to waive his no-trade clause and Jerry Stackhouse incurred the wrath of the NBA with his comments, it took some creativity on both sides to complete the deal. more ›

tre dici STEAK: The second floor of Chelsea’s Italian restaurant tre dici has been transformed into an intimate, 50 seat dining room (pictured) designed in the style of a sexy New Orleans speakeasy, circa 1920. Heavy fabrics covering the windows evoke a feeling of timelessness in the candlelit room, which is lined with luxuriant claret leathers and sensual artwork under an antique silver tin ceiling. The food arrives via dumbwaiter from chef Giuseppe Fanelli’s kitchen and features entrees like Kobe Beef Ravioli with black truffle, caramelized onions and parmigianino; and, no surprise, a 16 oz. Black Angus Hanger Steak. A lobster salad with watermelon, avocado, red onion & yuzo vinaigrette walks on the lighter side, and an elegant bar pours a selection of bourbons and scotches. [Closed Sundays.] 128 West 26th Street, 2nd Floor, (212) 243-2085. more ›

ART: "Drawing Art and Politics" seems like a fitting event to have on the calendar today. "Spend an evening with New York’s renowned graphic artists Jules Feiffer, David Levine, Stan Mack, and Edward Sorel, as they examine the ways in which complex social and political issues are depicted by artists in today’s media. Jules Feiffer will moderate a discussion that explores the roots of political art and social realism in the context of John Sloan’s early 20th-century illustrations of New Yorkers engaging in routine pastimes and pleasures. Presented in conjunction with John Sloan’s New York." More info here. more ›

MOVIE: Tonight the Brooklyn Independent Cinema Series delivers two very different films. First up is The French Riviera, described as "a road documentary that follows a truck driver on a mission to earn enough money selling ice cream in the Icelandic countryside to go on a vacation on a French beach." more ›

John Edwards will drop out of the presidential primary race. The Caucus finds symmetry in the announcement, since Edwards will give "a speech this afternoon at the same place where he began this campaign — in New Orleans." Which now means the path is cleared for a full-tilt boogie Hillary Clinton vs. Barack Obama fight for delegates and the nomination. We also expect some wooing from Clinton and Obama for Edwards' delegates. more ›

The Mets have finally landed a much needed arm to lead their rotation. USA Today is reporting that the Minnesota Twins and the Mets have agreed to terms for pitcher Johan Santana. The two-time Cy Young winner comes to the Mets at a high cost, with the Mets delivering outfielder Carlos Gomez and pitchers Phil Humber, Deolis Guerra and Kevin Mulvey to the Twins. Conditions of the deal include the Mets and Santana reaching agreement on a contract (rumored at six or seven year contract extension in the area of $150 million) and that Santana passes a physical. According to USA Today Santana and the Mets have between 48-72 hours to reach an agreement. more ›

When Super Sunday rolls around, there will be a lot of questions that will be answered. Will the Giants stop the undefeated season of the Patriots? How will Eli Manning perform in the biggest game of his career? And how Tom Brady's foot be? While there are clearly lots of other questions, one question that isn't so obvious is...who's the hotter quarterback. Is it the boy from New Orleans with Southern charm? Or is it the quarterback from California's Bay Area with the supermodel girlfriend? more ›

Less than 6 hours until kickoff at Lambeau Field and it's a balmy -6° in Green Bay. With winds at 15 miles per hour, Accuweather's real feel temperatures are -18°. While temperatures will increase by game time, it's still going to be ass-cold. more ›

FOOD: Drinking With the Professor: a Look at Jerry Thomas and His Liquid Legacy: Join cocktail maestro Dave Wondrich as he shares recipes from his latest book, Imbibe! plus a few that were cut in the editing process. Wondrich has an in-depth knowledge of nineteenth-century classic cocktails, so step up and taste the benefits. - Laren Spirer more ›