Author Norman Mailer passed away at Mt. Sinai Hospital this morning of renal failure. The deceased writer was the author of more than 30 books, from his debut "The Naked and The Dead," to others including "Armies of the Night," and "The Executioner's Song," for which he won a Pulitzer and the National Book Award, respectively. Mailer was known as much for his out-sized personality as for his writing. The New York Times waxes poetic......

Last week, it was announced that two emergency medical technicians had resigned because they had filmed patients on the job. The FDNY did not reveal what was on the tapes, only calling them "inappropriate," but now the Post has the details. - A shocking sequence in which a prostitute bares her breasts. - A nasty prank in which a medic taps a drunk on the shoulder before he tips over. - A mean-spirited verbal poke......

Our interview subject today, Albert Hammond Jr., has a show coming up Monday at Bowery Ballroom. It's sold out, and we have two pairs of tickets just for you. Details: Monday April 2nd at the Bowery Ballroom w/ The Mooney Suzuki & The Dead Trees Want to go? Just email GothamistContest (at) gmail dot com, and tell us why he's your favorite Stroke (and if he's not, just make something up!). Listen: In Transit.mp3......

EXHIBIT: Great Halls of Science Photographs and Holograms bring technology and art together. At last! "Great Halls of Science explores objects and architecture from the mid-twentieth-century using twentieth-century media. Wenyon & Gamble have a history of working in astronomical observatories and other scientific institutions, reflected in the imagery in this show. The holograms on display, Radio Waves from Space , depict magnetic discs of astronomical data. The images of discs from the 1960s and 70s......

Only a few more days until the end of the year (and the cut off for the 2006 Oscar season), so of course the movie theaters are glutted with choice new releases. If you have your copy of Bridget Jones' Diary always near the DVD player for easy access, might we suggest checking out Renée Zellweger in Miss Potter. Sort of like a Sex in the City but set during the Victorian era, Zellwegs plays......

This week's New York magazine showcases restaurants celebrating Day of The Dead. While the resaturants they choose- Zocalo, Suenos and Alma all have specials for the occasion, we think they are remiss not to mention more of the Mexican options. Cafe El Portal is a recent fave and Mercadito, La Palapa and Rosa Mexicano (note: audio with this one) are all presenting special menus as well, most starting Wednesday the 26th and lasting through......

Chung chung! It's the moment Gothamist has been waiting for - at least since May 20 - it's the season premiere of Law & Order. And since it's the much ballyhooed CSI:NY vs. Law & Order smackdown on Wednesday at 10PM, NBC is rolling out TWO episode of L&O tonight, starting at 9PM. The first episode is "Paradigm":Dennis Farina joins the cast as Detective Joe Fontana, a stylish veteran uneasily paired with Detective Green......

Even though Carson Daly is a tool, his late late night show "Last Call with Carson Daly" does have great musical guests. Like tonight: And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of The Dead. The first track, "It Was There That I Saw You" is gloriously beautiful and brutal. Program Tivo or stay up past Conan for it. The non-musical guest is musical as well, it's Steven Van Zandt!......