Occupy Wall Street protesters took advantage of the beautiful weather by protesting's Mitt Romney's fund-raiser at the Waldorf-Astoria. Armed with signs ranging from "Kiss My Grits" to "Romney Is The 1%," from "Taxes Aren't For Everyone" to "Will Work For Caviar" as well as people dressed as grim reapers with Romney masks and "Job Cremation" urns, it was a festive event with one woman shouting, "I want to feel what it's like to have a $2,500 lunch and write it off my taxes" and another asking, "Who needs some trickle-down champagne?" Oh, and one 83-year-old woman brought a wooden spatula and told the Washington Post's Ezra Klein, "It’s a vaginal probe. Since he’s so in favor of it, I’ve brought it to him as a gift.”
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Results tagged “waldorfastoria”
"Job Cremation": OWS Protests Mitt Romney's Waldorf-Astoria Fundraiser
Photos: Visiting The Secret Train Platform Beneath The Waldorf-Astoria
Over the weekend we had a chance to visit the long-abandoned Waldorf-Astoria train platform, which allowed VIPs to enter the hotel in a more private manner—most famously it was used by Franklin D. Roosevelt, possibly to hide the fact that he was in a wheelchair suffering from polio. The mysterious track, known as Track 61, still houses the train car and private elevator, which were both large enough for FDR's armor-plated Pierce Arrow car. Legend has it that the car would drive off the train, onto the platform and straight into the elevator, which would lead to the hotel's garage. Trainjotting has some more history regarding the platform, known as Track 61, and notes that the quest for it "has become a holy grail for many urban explorers."
Lyme Disease To Blame For Pink Underwar-Clad, Gun-Toting Waldorf-Astoria Lady
Yesterday, a woman was taken into custody after security spotted her wandering around the Waldorf-Astoria wearing her neon pink underwear on top of her pants, with a gun sticking out of her jacket pocket. Forty-six-year-old Marilyn Michose was charged with fourth degree possession of a weapon, and sent to Elmhurst Hospital for a psychiatric evaluation. But today, her mother says she knows what was to blame for the strange incident: lyme disease.
Woman Carrying Gun, Wearing Neon Pink Undies Over Pants, Arrested At Waldorf-Astoria
It might not be the latest fashion trend, but it's certainly something that'll get you noticed: a woman was arrested wandering around the lobby of the Waldorf-Astoria hotel earlier today with a gun sticking out of her jacket pocket, and her neon pink underwear on top of her pants.
Waldorf Workers Still Allegedly Harassing Moroccan Waiter
Waiter Mohamed Kotbi, who has worked at the Waldorf-Astoria since 1984, recently filed a religious and racial discrimination suit against the hotel for making him go by names like "John" so as not to "scare" the guests. And apparently Osama bin Laden's death has just made things worse. He tells the Observer that on Monday one of his coworkers said, "Oh, I heard they got your brother." When he asked for clarification, the coworker said, "Your boss, bin Laden!" For the record, Kotbi's brother is an NYPD officer.
Waldorf Diners Afraid Of The Name "Mohamed"
A waiter at the Waldorf-Astoria is claiming the hotel made him go by a different name, because apparently "John" is a lot less frightening than "Mohamed." Moroccan-born Mohamed Kotbi has worked for the hotel since 1984, but said on September 13th, 2001, he was given a nametag to wear that said "John." He claims hotel management told him, "We don’t want to scare our guests." Whereas with "John" he'll just be associated with the likes of John Wilkes Booth and John Wayne Gacy.
Fancy Horses Not Nearly Fancy Enough
To us plebs, the idea of horse carriages promenading through the the 56th Annual Viennese Opera Ball at the Waldorf-Astoria may seem like the epitome of wealthy exuberance. But it's that sort of acceptance of the merely ornate, and not a desire for the truly baroque, that keeps us from ascending to those very upper echelons of society. One 28-year-old attendee remarked, “If we’re in full white tie, and completely bedazzled, the horses should be, too." We hope this young squire never settles for anything less than legislation requiring all horses to wear tuxedos.
King Abdullah Is Out
After two successful back surgeries at New York Presbyterian Hospital, Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz has finally left New York. The King reportedly arrived in Morocco yesterday and is resting in Casablanca. The Saudi Press Agency gave no date for when the 87-year-old would return to his kingdom. So no more royalty in New York, but on the plus side this couple can probably head back to the Waldorf-Astoria. Not that they would want to right now.
Waldorf-Astoria Bitten By THIRD Bedbug Lawsuit
The Waldorf-Astoria has been hit with a third lawsuit by a guest who claims she was ravaged by bedbugs during a night at the tony hotel. Svetlana Tendler, a doctor who's currently a stay-at-home mom, visited the Waldorf during a trip to NYC with her family in August 2007. That makes this the earliest known incident of bedbug biting at the hotel, and suggests the Waldorf has been struggling with an infestation for much longer than previously believed. (The other two lawsuits are the result of bedbug bites from 2010.) Tendler wants $10 million from the hotel to compensate her for what the bedbugs did to her, and says she needs plastic surgery!
Waldorf-Astoria Bedbug Horror Story, Plus Deadly Bedbugs!
Yesterday Michigan insurance executive Christine Drabicki flew to New York City for a press conference announcing her lawsuit against the Waldorf-Astoria, seeking unspecified damages for the bedbugs she allegedly brought back home with her after a stay at the hotel. Here's the story about the bloodsucking parasites' love affair with the insurance saleswoman:
Waldorf-Astoria Facing Second Bedbug Lawsuit!
A Michigan family is suing the Waldorf-Astoria because they say the posh hotel gave them bedbugs. This makes the second lawsuit against the Waldorf in a month; two weeks ago a Long Island woman sued the hotel, alleging that she brought bedbugs home from her stay at the Waldorf, and her six-year-old daughter suffered "permanent scarring to her face, legs, stomach, groin and body" from bug bites, plus "psychological and emotional injuries, anxiety and disordered sleep." And a Florida woman who stayed at the Waldorf claimed in October that she was bitten by bedbugs, too—though she didn't file a lawsuit (yet).
Video: Bed Bug Epidemic Explained By Taiwanese CGI
Let's start this Friday right with the latest opus from Taiwan's Next Media Animation. This time bedbugs get the CGI treatment, with [SPOILER!] a special cameo from Fox News President Roger Ailes blowing away the parasites with a machine gun in the Wall Street Journal offices. And speaking of the Journal, today the paper reports that a Long Island woman is suing the Waldorf-Astoria, accusing the posh hotel of giving her bedbugs to take home to Levittown.
Waldorf Astoria Guest Cries Bedbugs
A woman visiting NYC from Florida says she was bitten by bedbugs while staying at the fancy Waldorf Astoria, a hotel popular with heads of state and celebrities. After waking up with welts and rashes on her arm, the unidentified woman complained to the hotel's management, who were not very proactive, according to her account. Sure, they upgraded her to a $700-a-night suite in the "super-fancy" Waldorf-Astoria Towers section, but she tells the Post that managers wouldn't take her word for it, and asked her to display her bites.
Doorman School Teaches How To Put Up With Tenants
Have you ever wanted to know what it takes to be a real New York City doorman? Well, it seems harder than it looks. That's why the staffs of eight Manhattan buildings are attending all-day seminars at the Waldorf-Astoria in the hopes of learning things like how to pick up a phone before it rings three times, how to properly tell tenants to get to the gym, and how to maintain eye contact when you're being chewed out for not walking that old woman's dog properly while she was at her country house. Here are some tips from Michael Romei, a 16-year Waldorf veteran:
Flashback: The Waldorf-Astoria Hotel
Did you hear about the cute couple who just got hooked up with 1950s pricing at the Waldorf-Astoria, after not staying there since their wedding night on May 20th, 1950? The Daily News has Edith and Robert Scalise's story, which began at Brooklyn's PS 157 when they were around 12 years old, and was made official in 1950 when they wed at a Williamsburg church.
Husband Allegedly Lures Estranged Wife Outside for Violent Showdown
When you've got a restraining order against your estranged husband, and he "helpfully" calls to say your car is parked too close to a fire hydrant and you should check on it, that's a red flag. Paul Greenwald was arrested last week for violating a restraining order against his wife Michelle Greenwald, who is an assistant adjunct professor at NYU's Stern School of Business, and wrote The Magic Melting Pot cookbook. Police say Greenwald lured his wife with the warning about her car, and when she arrived, an irate Greenwald allegedly grabbed her "with force and refused to let go." After a witness intervened, Greenwald jumped into a cab, still screaming obscenities at his wife.
A Peek Inside the Presidential Suite
Lots of talk this week about where the tyrants are staying. Ever wonder where the American presidents stay? All of them since Truman have stayed at the Waldorf Astoria, on 50th and Park. Huffpost embeds two video tours, one by a woman who got randomly upgraded to the presidential suite when checking in to the hotel. Glitzy!
Do NOT Read If Eating: Most Revolting Dining Story EVER
This story—and we do hope it's a story—makes the guy who complained about a snake head on his plate at TGI Friday's seem like a big fat baby: A German tourist claims that while eating steak and spinach at the Waldorf Astoria on Friday night, he bit into something you'd only expect to find on the menu at a Red Roof Inn. There's really no delicate way to put this: Axel Sanz-Claus tells ABC News that during his meal at the legendary hotel's Bull and Bear Steak House, he bit into a blood-soaked tampon. UGH: "I had it in my mouth, chewed it and nearly swallowed it," Sanz-Claus says, adding, "This is so disgusting, I've felt sick ever since."
Debutantes Still Come Out in Withering Economy
Last night, the International Debutante Ball was held at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. Forty-seven young women from all over the world arrived to be "presented to society" (in earlier eras, it meant that the young lady was officially on the marriage market). The AP reports, given that "A debutante's family pays $14,000 for a table plus thousands of dollars for couture gowns, hairdressers and other expenses," some people are wondering if the tradition is antiquated.
"All of that excess. It kind of makes me gag a little," said Rachel Weingarten, an expert on marketing and trends and the author of "Career and Corporate Cool: How to Look, Dress and Act the Part at Every Stage of Your Career."more ›
"Eating Their Words" Series Dusting Off Dinner Theater
When Eater reported on the Elizabeth Street Tasting Room location closing last week and mentioned “a dinner theater event” as a negative prognostic sign, chef-owner Colin Alevras stepped up to the comments section to defend the event and its organizer: “Marlo produced a fantastic event,” wrote Alevras, while confirming the Tasting Room’s closing, “and I hope to be able to work with her again in the future.”
Matt Lauer Goes Underground for "Secret" Train Car
First NBC announces it's starting a 24-hour local NYC news channel yesterday--a possible competitor to NY1-- and now Matt Lauer is invading the turf of NYC TV's Kelly Choi by heading to the "secret subway station" under the Waldorf-Astoria!
Waldorf Serves Presidential Meals to All, For a Little Price
The Waldorf Astoria loves to brag about how every president since Herbert Hoover has been a guest at their hotel, but they rarely disclose what delicacies our rulers savor while there. But starting this month, guests at the Waldorf Towers and diners in the hotel’s Bull & Bear steakhouse can have a taste of presidential luxury that, until now, only taxpayer money could buy.
Father Remembers Heath Ledger "With His Skateboard, a Canvas Bag and His Beanie"
Last night, the G'Day USA Australia Ball was held at the Waldorf Astoria hotel, concluding Australia Week festivities. But the week held sadness, after Australian actor Heath Ledger was found dead in his Soho apartment on Tuesday. At the ball, Australian Counsel-General John Olsen read an unexpected letter from Ledger's father Kim:
"Heath is, and always will be, an Australian.more ›
Pencil This In
EVENT: Join Chief Jim Riches, 9/11 families, rescue and recovery workers in an effort to Tell Rudy Giuliani to "Stop Politicizing 9/11". Rudy will be at a fundraiser at the Waldorf later today, and will be greeted by those who believe he's no hero. Why? They say: "He failed the FDNY & uniformed & civilian victims. He gave us incompetent commissioners ( FD,PD, OEM). No integrated command. He abandoned us on 9/11. He gave the FDNY defective radios. He lied about the toxic air -- 70% of responders and many civilians are sick." More info here.
Rock and Roll (and Rap) Hall of Fame
Last night at the Waldorf Astoria, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame - the first hip-hop act to receive the honor! The South Bronx group pioneered the genre, being the first to incorporate deejaying and emceeing.
A Drinking Game For America's Next Top Model
- Drink every time a girl talks about how she thought being a model would be easier. Another drink if they mention how everyone said to her, "You could be a model."
Secret Metro North Escape Train For Bush
The Post decides to tell the public about the special, brand new Metro-North train parked under the Waldorf Astoria as an emergency getaway train:
Bush Comes to Town
Besides how foreign issues will be settled, President Bush's visit to the U.N. today and tomorrow means one thing to New Yorkers: Gridlock in midtown. Certainly around the East 40s and 50s from Park Avenue to First Avenue, with Bush shuttling between the Waldorf Astoria and U.N. And Midtown Westerners, stop your laughing: according to the Daily News, Colin Powell is going to be on David Letterman tonight and Second Lady Lynne Cheney is on tomorrow.
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