After the developer of the controversial Park51 Islamic community center admitted to making mistakes, and the building peacefully opened its doors for a photo exhibit last month, it appeared that the worst had passed for the so-called "Ground Zero Mosque." Now, Con Ed is threatening to evict Park51 from one of the structures its leasing from the utility if they don't pay $1.7 million in back rent they say the group owed on October 4. more ›

The sun has many uses, from giving us cool-looking cancer spots to frying those pesky ants beneath our magnifying glasses (plus Solar Hits!) But what if we harnessed it to give your ConEd bill a giant, phototropic finger? A solar map of New York City released today by CUNY reveals that 66 percent of the city's rooftops could be used to harness solar power, generating enough energy to fulfill half of the city's electricity needs at peak periods. Yes, but will it be enough to keep the juice flowing to the dozens of spaceheaters powering our illicit beef jerky drying operation (and those other LED lamps in the basement that are just there for decoration)? more ›

Londonist was proud to announce the winner of this year's Turner Prize was Mark Wallinger who made long-standing London protester Brian Haw a work of art, after he has previously been made into a sort of law due to his lengthy banner-waving vigil outside parliament. The strength of the pound made real in the form of a 25 foot high coin on a quiet patch of the Thames river bank, aiming to inspire all Londoners in a publicly voted decision on spending £50 million Lottery money. Perhaps some new play projects for London kids who, for the lack of youthful entertainment, are trying to amuse themselves by collecting prostitute calling cards, which are worryingly rigged and booby-trapped. And for those who are anticipating a lovely fat check from a great-aunt this Christmas and wondering what to spend it on, the London Marathon will need a new sponsor after 2009. How does The Londonist London Marathon sound? more ›

A two-story home in College Point was engulfed by a quickly spreading fire yesterday evening. A 70-year-old woman told WNBC that the television exploded at 22-47 128 Street. She said, "We were in the house, the fire broke, we ran like anything els. We grabbed one animal, but we left the birds and the other dog. So we ran out." more ›

Gothamist would like to thank the New York Times for giving us a mini anxiety attack with an article about last year's blackout that begins, "." Augh! Are state officials trying to tell us that perhaps another blackout could occur, because if that's the case, trim those tree branches! NYC has enough power until 2009, which is when officials expect the city to fall short of the 3000 megawatts needed by 280 megawatts (if anyone can explain any of this, be our guest). Yes, the blackout was a great way to bond, dance in the streets and have cookouts, but blackouts are so 2003. Let's think of something new in this post-Industrial Revolution world, like money magically coming out of all ATMs at once. more ›