Have some extra cash to spend around the holiday season? Even the littlest bit can go a long way in the over 80 year old Operation Santa program. Every year letters pile up at the James A. Farley Post Office from (mostly needy) kids writing to Santa Claus (read one of them here). Their wish lists don't make it to the North Pole, but with New Yorkers pitching in every year, it's as if they did. There's still time to pick up a letter so you can help make someone's Christmas a little more merry this year. Head to the Farley Post Office (bring an ID) located at 421 Eighth Ave today through 4pm or Monday (from 9 to 4:30pm). Note: they are currently in desperate need of people who can read Spanish. more ›

Right when Gothamist had given up hope that the Cube (er, Tony Rosenthal's The Alamo) would ever return to its rightful place in Astor Place, instead to be replaced by that very unspinnable building the Sculpture for Living, comes word (third to last item) that it will eventually return. Warner Johnston, a Parks Department spokesperson, reports that the Cube, which was supposed to return 60 days after it was removed in March, is undergoing extra renovation thanks to new funds from the Department of Transportation (who actually owns the sculpture). "We will do a complete restoration taking it apart, replacing the axle, ball bearings. It will be spinnable and will be back in a couple of months." reported Johnston. Let's hope so, we miss it. more ›

The City Parks Department contacted Gothamist to set the facts straight about the disappearance of the Astor Place Cube, the rotating sculpture beloved to New Yorkers. Director of Public Information Warner Johnston told us that the cube was removed last night for repairs: One of the four large bolts that attaches the cube to the base was missing! When people would try to rotate the cube, the cube would tilt, so the Parks Department decided that the 2500 pound cube needed to be repaired for everyone's safety. Good call! The Parks Department is working with the artist, Tony Rosenthal, as well as conservationists who worked on the cube in the 80s, to fix the cube. The Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe issued this statement:

The City has not forgotten The Alamo. With the assistance of the Mayor's Office and the Art Commission, we are working to give it emergency stabilization with funding provided by DOT, the custodian of the artwork. It will be returned to Astor Place better than ever.