October 28, 2005 02:38 AM more ›

Perhaps Gothamist was a little too hopeful going into last night's Mets-Braves game. We were daydreaming of a pitchers duel going into the 9th inning with the Mets winning in the bottom half of the 9th. Not exactly how things turned out as the Mets lost 4-3. Pedro Martinez gave up three runs in the 1st inning, allowing the Braves get a good jump on the Mets, who answered with one run in the 2nd. For his part, John Smoltz pitched good enough to pick up his first win of the season, allowing 1 run in 6.2 innings. Martinez picked up the loss, his first of the season, allowing 4 runs in 7 innings pitched. more ›

Mayor Bloomberg actually consulted with the City Council (who will have to approve it later this summer), as well as construction and bar & nightlife folks, in developing these laws, so there is support behind it. And it seems like the public will be responsive, given that most 311 calls are noise complaints. The Mayor's earlier high-noise reduction effort, Operation Silent Night (which sounds like a black bag operation), began two years ago in high-noise neighborhoods, but the Mayor called OSN only "a Band-Aid." The new noise codes will now let police issue summons if the disturbance is "plainly audible," instead of needing to using handheld decibel counters. But what is excessive noise? Is it those annoying kids talking during a movie? The rumbling of trucks and buses down the street? The fire trucks outside your window, since you live near a firehouse? Or is it hearing your neighbors have sex at 2AM when you're in a dry spell? If you can't take the noise, why are you living in the city? Perhaps Gothamist is too used to the white noise of the city. But looking at this list of top noise complaints from the Daily News, many are not addressed by the new noise codes. Also, dog owners weigh in. more ›

Unlike last year's draft, which had high schooler LeBron James as the top prize, this year's draft seems to be short on impact players and long on potential. When the draft finally comes around at the end of June, expect to hear the word "upside" at least 70 times. Perhaps Gothamist will keep a count. UConn junior Emeka Okafor, fresh off a national title, figures to be the top selection this year. more ›

It's only two days into the Chinese New Year, so here's some more information on the festivities in the city from NYC Visit. The Post looks at places to eat and shop in the Chinatowns of Manhattan, Queens (Flushing) and Brooklyn (Sunset Park). Some of their picks: Gum Fung (Main Street and 39th Avenue) for food and Flushing Mall (39th Avenue and College Point Boulevard) in Queens; Jade Plaza (6022 Eighth Avenue at 61st Street, [718] 492-6888) for food and Tien Lung Aquarium (5822 Eighth Ave., at 58th Street) in Brooklyn; and Mandarin Court (61 Mott Street between Bayard and Canal streets) for food and Great Wall of China (277 Canal St., between Broadway and Lafayette Street) in Manhattan. Citysearch has suggestions as well, including tomorrow's parade. Perhaps Gothamist will see you there, in the middle of the dragon dances. more ›