Sen. Schumer says city's airports are latest in nation

NEW YORK (AP) The three airports serving New York City rank last among the nation's 33 busiest airports for on-time arrivals, according to Sen. Charles Schumer.

"They should be world-class airports but they're not functioning as world-class airports," Schumer said Sunday, adding that the delays could hurt the city's economy by discouraging tourism and business travel. It's the first time that all three have sunk to the bottom of the list, Schumer said, referring to Bureau of Transportation statistics on the first nine months of this year.

Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey had the worst record, with 34 percent of flights arriving late during that period. Some 33 percent of planes landing at LaGuardia Airport were delayed, as were 30 percent of flights to John F. Kennedy Airport.

A spokesman for the Federal Aviation Administration told Newsday that some delays, such as those related to weather, were unavoidable. Recent changes made by the agency would help matters, Greg Martin predicted.

"We increased the number of oceanic routes, which we believe will reduce delays significantly during the peak winter travel periods between New York and Florida," Martin said. "In fact, it's likely that we will keep those additional lanes open throughout the year." Airports in Salt Lake City, Chicago and Denver were the three most punctual, with more than 82 percent of flights arriving on time, according to the transportation statistics.

Source: Associated Press

New York trial of hip-hop label begins

NEW YORK, NY, United States (UPI) -- Hip-hop stars Ja Rule and Ashanti were in the New York courtroom for Wednesday`s start of the federal money laundering trial of their label`s founders.

Brothers Irving and Christopher Gotti are accused of using drug money to start their label, Murder Inc., now simply The Inc., and continuing to launder money through their enterprise for New York drug kingpin Kenneth \'Supreme\' McGriff.

In opening arguments, Prosecutor Sean Haran described the relationship between McGriff and the Lorenzos. He said McGriff was a secret partner whose drug money was used to start up Murder Inc., then used it to launder his illegal gains, SOHH.com reported.

The brothers` defense claims they only associated with McGriff for street credibility and he was never involved in the label that launched Ashanti and Ja Rule to stardom.

Source: United Press International

Fourth anniversary of airliner crash that killed 265 in NYC

Jose Alcantara mourns the death of his daughter Rosa Alcantara, during the memorial service of Flight 587 at the crash site.

Jennifer Szymaszek, AP

NEW YORK (AP) — Scores of families gathered in a seaside neighborhood Saturday to observe the fourth anniversary of one of the nation's deadliest airline disasters.

The crash of American Airlines Flight 587 on a quiet residential block in the Belle Harbor section of Queens killed 265 people — including five on the ground — on Nov. 12, 2001, at a time when the city was still reeling from the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center.

"It feels like yesterday," said Juan Reyes, 19, of the Bronx, who lost his father in the crash. "It happened four years ago, but it seems like four minutes ago."

Mayor Michael Bloomberg told the hundreds gathered on a chilly morning that the city hopes to pick a design soon for a $2 million memorial to the victims. Officials hope to have a monument in place next fall.

"For many people in this city, our grief remains so strong because passage of those four years has not filled those 265 empty chairs at the dinner table, or the 265 empty spots in our hearts," he said.

Flight 587 had just taken off from John F. Kennedy International Airport for a flight to the Dominican Republic when a section of its tail tore away as the plane's pilot battled turbulence.

The Dominican national anthem was played at the start of Saturday's ceremony and former Mayor Rudy Giuliani eulogized the dead.

Outside of the 2001 terrorist attacks, the crash was the second worst in U.S. aviation history. The deadliest was a 1979 disaster at Chicago's O'Hare Airport that killed 275.

Source: USA Today

CITY'S $WEET NOV.

By RITA DELFINER


So many visitors are flocking to the city around Thanksgiving to gobble up the sights that this month is set to become the Big Apple's most popular November ever.

"Not only will the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade balloons take new heights, but so will city tourism," said Cristyne Nicholas, president of NYC & Company, the city's tourism bureau.

Last year, 3.6 million visitors, mostly from around the nation, headed to the Big Apple during November, and this year's estimates predict "an additional 100,000," she said.

That's well above the 3.25 million guests who traveled here in November 2000, prior to the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

"It's not just Thanksgiving," Nicholas said. "Part of it is the record [New York City] Marathon turnout earlier this month. We had more runners in the marathon than ever before and more international runners."

Thanksgiving is the official kickoff for the holiday season — and Santa is definitely coming to town with the other tourists.

"Although a white Christmas is something many revelers are wishing for, we look at this holiday season as likely to be very green," Nicholas said.

It's estimated that tourists will shell out $4.5 billion on hospitality, entertainment and beverages during the months of November and December, she said.

As for Thanksgiving, "it's becoming more of an American tradition" to spend it in New York, Nicholas said.

"A lot of the hotels are doing a four-day package, including a traditional American Thanksgiving dinner," and "the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is attracting more people from out of town."

And, for shopaholics, there's "Black Friday," the uber-consumer marathon the day after Thanksgiving.

"Even by New York City standards, that has become huge, with many stores opening at 7 a.m.," Nicholas said.

The other event that has been pulling in visitors is the inflating of Macy's balloons around the Museum of Natural History the day before the parade.

"More and more people are using that as an opportunity to visit New York," Nicholas said. "The balloon inflation has become such an event that restaurants and bars on the Upper West Side have seen a hike in reservations."

Source: NY Post

NYC cabs are going high tech

New York cabs are going wireless. There are almost 13,000 cabs in the city and they will all have wireless connections by some time next year, if all goes according to plan. The Taxi Commission is currently shopping around for the best solutions from a number of companies to distribute the service among its patrons.

Not surprisingly, the first expected use of the technology will be for making payments easier by streamlining the use of credit cards. Besides that, though, cab drivers will be more efficiently alerted to waiting customers. There will also be a touch-sensitive screen in the back seat of cabs which, besides allowing for the swiping of credit cards, will display news, sports, weather and the like and may even allow people to check in to flights or hotels on the go.

The technology will also make it much easier for companies to track their drivers using GPS. They will no longer rely on trip sheets filled out by the drivers. Fares increased by 26% last year, so this is seen as a way to make customers feel better about the value they are receiving for the price, so long as the price doesn’t keep rising.

Once the Commission chooses a service provider, it will be clearer when the service will be available. Now if only the technology would help me to avoid the bitter and hostile drivers I seem to get every time I visit the city.

That's So New York

A-Rod wins 2nd MVP award in three years

BY SAM BORDEN

NEW YORK - He always will be linked with the Red Sox, be it for the trade that wasn't or the slap play or the time he went shopping in Boston and pulled a kid away from oncoming traffic.

Alex Rodriguez cannot escape his rivals, and so it was fitting that he should beat the ultimate Boston slugger to earn his first MVP award as a New York Yankee - and second in three years - edging out David Ortiz in balloting announced Monday.

The vote was close, with Rodriguez garnering 16 of 28 first-place votes while Ortiz received 11. Vladimir Guerrero, last year's winner, was a distant third with one first-place vote.

As proud as he was of the honor, however, there still was a tinge of wistfulness in Rodriguez's voice when he spoke about Ortiz. A-Rod may have edged the Red Sox DH in this balloting, but he is still envious.

"I would certainly trade his World Series championship for this MVP trophy," A-Rod said on a conference call. "That's the only reason I play baseball. It's what I'm consumed with right now."

That, of course, is not enough for those who believe the championship-less Rodriguez must prove his worth in October to ever be considered a Yankee legend. A-Rod knows it, too, which is why he admits he will always be frustrated by his poor showing in the Yanks' first-round loss to the Angels last month.

Of course, voting for this award was completed before the playoffs began, so his .133 average in five games with Anaheim didn't count (nor did Ortiz's .333 average with one home run against the White Sox). Two members of the Baseball Writers Association of America in each AL city ranked players from 1-10 based on regular-season results, with points assigned to each place.

A-Rod, Ortiz and Guerrero were the only players to get first-place votes, but Manny Ramirez finished fourth while Gary Sheffield, Mariano Rivera and Derek Jeter placed eighth, ninth and 10th, respectively.

The presence of those three teammates seemed to be the biggest argument against A-Rod - specifically, that he may not have even been the MVP of his own team - with Ortiz supporters also pointing to Big Papi's penchant for clutch hitting; he had 34 RBI this season that put his team ahead, most in the AL.

Rodriguez was certainly better in clutch situations than he was in 2004 - he improved to .290 with runners in scoring position from .248 - but it was likely his glove that gave him the ultimate edge over Ortiz.

Simply put, A-Rod played well in the field while Ortiz barely played there at all.

"I think being on the field every day is a strong requirement, and doing it on both sides," said A-Rod, who won the award as the Rangers' shortstop in 2003 before switching to third base after being traded to the Yankees. "I think it's someone that goes out and helps the team day in and day out. How many runs is this guy saving a year?"

Still, the MVP is typically honored for an outstanding offensive campaign and Rodriguez unquestionably produced one. He set a record for home runs by a Yankee righthanded hitter (48), led the Yankees with a .321 average and drove in 130 runs. He became the first Bomber since Don Mattingly in 1985 to be named MVP and, in perhaps the best indication of how success is measured in New York, still figures to hear his share of boos at the Stadium next season.

"We could win three World Series, with me it's never going to be over," Rodriguez said. "My benchmark is so high, whatever I do it's never going to be enough and I understand that. Maybe when I retire is when all the critics and all that stuff is going to end."

Until then, he's still got plenty of support. George Steinbrenner released a statement in which he proclaimed, "This is an A-Rod day in New York," and added, "A-Rod demonstrates the talent, hard work, and dedication of a true winner. On behalf of our devoted New York Yankee fans, I look forward to great things for many years from A-Rod as a Yankee."

Joe Torre said, "He's getting more comfortable here in New York. Alex helped us win so many games, both offensively and defensively, and he continues to improve."

source: NY Daily News

Country music industry brings awards to New York; hopes to raise its profile

NEW YORK (AP) - Like a secret lover embraced in private yet rarely seen in public, country music's relationship with New York City has been a curious, hush-hush affair.

Country music sells well in New York, yet it hasn't had much of a presence on America's ultimate music stage. There's no country radio station, and even country music's top acts rarely include New York on their tour dates, performing in its surrounding areas rather than in the city itself.

"New York City is a notoriously hard market to perform country music in," says singer Trace Adkins.

It may get a little easier after this week.

For the first time, the Country Music Association Awards - usually Nashville's big shindig - will be held in New York. Instead of the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tennessee, Madison Square Garden will play host to the likes of Brad Paisley, Keith Urban, Faith Hill, Lee Ann Womack, Gretchen Wilson and Brooks & Dunn, who are hosting the show.

The event will also integrate pop's elite, including Elton John and Bon Jovi.

"Our business is based in Nashville and it always will be, but New York City is still our No. 1 or No. 2 market," says performer Kix Brooks. "There's an amazing history of country music here, most people just don't realize. Garth (Brooks) is still the biggest concert that was ever in (Central) Park."

And the celebration has already begun: The days leading up to the show include numerous performances and events designed to showcase - and enhance - country's popularity here, including a Broadway Meets Country concert featuring the top stars in both fields, and a celebration of the Grand Ole Opry's 80th anniversary with a concert at Carnegie Hall.

While this is the CMA Awards' first adventure in New York City, the Grand Ole Opry has been at Carnegie Hall before, though it was more than four decades ago - Opry legend Minnie Pearl joined Ernest Tubb there in 1947 and performed with its stars there again in 1961.

Monday's anniversary show will feature Paisley, Martina McBride, Alan Jackson, Alison Krauss and Adkins, to name a few.

Pete Fisher, the Grand Ole Opry's general manager, hopes the showcase, along with country music's week in New York, will help it shed its reputation as a genre popular with the South and Midwest only.

"I was born and raised in the Northeast, and country music often times is attached to a stereotype, and really, the evolution of country music over the past couple of decades shows it is mainstream music," Fisher says.

Country music's mainstream appeal is enduring and undeniable. Three of last year's top 10 selling albums came from country artists - Wilson, Kenny Chesney, and Tim McGraw. Next week, Chesney's latest album is expected to debut at the top of the sales charts.

Yet while New York routinely hosts the most coveted acts in rock, pop, jazz, rap, R&B and classical, country's biggest stars don't often get heard here.

"I know there are a lot of country music fans in New York City but the problem with doing a show in New York City is its very difficult to promote," says Adkins. "There's no way for (fans) to hear about it unless it's word of mouth. If there was a country music radio station in New York they would know exactly where to get their information from."

Which is why the CMA board member initially was against the idea of uprooting the awards show from Nashville to New York City. But Adkins eventually was convinced it would be a good idea.

"If you look at it as trying to broaden the appeal and kind of get out of the box and maybe reach some people who otherwise don't become exposed to country music, it could turn out to be a really good thing," says Adkins.

Though the CMA Awards will return to Nashville next year for its 40th anniversary, the show's longtime producer, Walter Miller, says it was time for a change.

"We could have taken it anywhere, and you feel it's time to make a move for a different look and a different feeling," he says. "But why take it anywhere where it's already accepted? Let's bring it to New York where they do not have a country station and let them sample it and let them appreciate it."

Womack, who along with Paisley is the most nominated artist with six, is performing with Shooter Jennings at the Bowery Ballroom, better known for rollicking rock concerts, on Monday night.

She suggests that New Yorkers' sporadic exposure to live country music makes them even more enthusiastic: "I felt like as a listening audience they were a little more receptive and not quite so jaded. They really seem to appreciate having something different."

Pat Green, who's also performing Monday night (at a new Times Square theatre), credits the same reason for his sellout performances in the city.

"I've probably played there about six times, over the last two years. It's one of my favourites - I think it's incredible," says Green. "I think that good music does well in New York City, and that's what I'm excited about."

Search for first win is over for Knicks

By GREG BEACHAM, AP Sports Writer

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) -- Though Larry Brown knew his first win with the New York Knicks would come eventually, he was a bit surprised to pick it up in what used to be one of the NBA's most intimidating road arenas.

Brown won for the first time in six games as New York's coach, with rookie Channing Frye scoring 19 points in a 105-95 win over the floundering Sacramento Kings on Sunday night. Stephon Marbury had 17 points and seven assists for the Knicks, who jumped to a big early lead and hung on late to halt their worst start in 18 years during Brown's first season in charge of his hometown team. Historically, Brown hasn't put great trust in young players, but his youthful Knicks might win him over eventually -- particularly if they keep playing this way.

Frye had 13 points in the first half, and Jamal Crawford and Eddy Curry later added 16 points apiece as New York never trailed while snapping an eight-game losing streak in Sacramento. Brown ascribed no special significance to the win, but his players knew it meant something.

"It feels good. I always feel good after a team tries hard," said Brown, the only head coach to win championships in the NBA and NCAA.

"We had a lot of guys contribute. To win one on the road against a pretty good team is a good feeling. ... People don't win in this building much, so it feels good." Brown's club won by making 54 percent of its shots -- and finding an opponent with even worse late-game execution.

The Knicks wasted second-half leads in both of their last two games, and blew most of a 19-point lead in Sacramento, but hung on when the Kings couldn't capitalize on several chances to rally. "We were very resilient, and we played with a lot of heart," Marbury said. "It's just one game, but winning that first game after we lost the last five, that's tough to do. Coach was happy we won, and we were happy to win for him. He deserved it." New York reached season highs with 105 points, 41 field goals, 22 assists 15 steals, in addition to its sharp shooting.

Peja Stojakovic scored 14 of his 31 points in the fourth quarter, but missed seven 3-pointers for the Kings, whose 2-5 start has caused discontent in Arco Arena's nightly sellout crowds. Sacramento is off to its worst start since 1997 -- the year before coach Rick Adelman took over the club. Mike Bibby had 18 points and seven assists, but Sacramento was booed off the court after a horrific first half in which New York led by 19 points.

The boos returned when the Knicks scored 12 straight points spanning the third and fourth quarters to blow it open again. "This is very frustrating. There wasn't any energy out there," Bibby said. "We had no communication out there tonight. We need to work on our problems, because I know they can be fixed."

Marbury had six turnovers in the first three quarters, but kept New York steady down the stretch. Sacramento got within 97-91 on Jason Hart's free throw with 1:27 left, but Marbury fed Crawford for a layup before hitting two free throws with 47 seconds to play. Referee Steve Javie then ejected Shareef Abdur-Rahim with two technical fouls during the ensuing timeout, even though the Sacramento forward apparently wasn't talking to him.

The Knicks made a 16-3 run spanning the first and second quarters, leading 38-19 on Crawford's 3-pointer early in the second. The Kings made 12 turnovers before getting serenaded to the locker room with a 57-41 halftime deficit. Sacramento finally woke up in the third quarter, making a 16-6 run and pulling within 72-66 before Marbury's three-point play started a 12-0 run.

"We waited too long to get into this game," Adelman said. "In the first half, we just never got anything going. I don't know why we didn't come ready to play in this game." Both teams have started the season slowly, though both have spent most of it on the road. New York is just halfway through a six-game West Coast road trip, while the Kings opened the schedule with three road games and another tough trip to Denver.

Notes
New York hadn't won in Sacramento since Feb. 20, 1997. ... Both teams made 21 turnovers. ... Hart dived into the Knicks' bench to save a loose ball midway through the second quarter -- and Malik Rose got a technical foul for holding onto Hart, preventing him from running back upcourt.

Way to go NY!

Source: AP Sports

H&M HORDES 'RACK' HAVOC WITH WAR CRY: 'BACK OFF MY DRESS, BITCH!'

By FARRAH WEINSTEIN

It's a Stell-out!

Fashion piranhas swarmed H&M stores in Manhattan yesterday clawing and scratching for a piece of Stella McCartney's limited-edition clothing line, which was unveiled exclusively at the discount apparel chain.

Hipsters, fashion students and trendy moms waited on line as early as 3 a.m. at all six H&M stores here. When the doors opened at 10 a.m., mayhem ensued. Women elbowed, pushed and shoved one another just to snap up the designer duds.

"Back off my dress, bitch!" screamed one woman at the Rockefeller Center flagship store on Fifth Avenue.

"That's mine!" snapped another.

One woman fell during the feeding frenzy, and shoppers just stepped over her. Another was crying. One petite lady stood on top of a chair so she could grab at a silk shirt that was too high, while throwing the rest of the batch down to her friends. A group of moms even brought a stroller along just to pile clothes in it.

"They're grabbing four or five of everything just so they could get the right size," one man screamed into his cellphone amidst the pandemonium.

Customers tried to tear clothes off mannequins, while employees pleaded with them to stop. Or they waited by the dressing rooms for rejected clothes, and by the back doors for employees to walk out to replenish the items.

Taking a cue from the successful limited-edition collection designed by Karl Lagerfeld for the retailer last fall, McCartney collaborated with Sweden-based H&M to design the collection of about 40 items to be sold in selected H&M stores across Europe and North America.

The line ranges from $12.90 for a studded black bathing suit to $99.90 for a delicate rose-colored silk dress. A McCartney print dress on sale at Neiman Marcus, meanwhile, goes for nearly $1,200 and a cardigan for $600. Some items — like a zip sweater dress or a knitted blouse — were grabbed so fast and with such fury that they couldn't even make it to the floor.

Rafiah Johnson, a 27-year-old personal shopper from Manhattan, had more than 20 items in her arms.

"I'm buying it all," she said. "It's so much better than I expected. There's no limit. As long as the clothes fit, I'm buying it."

The former Chloe designer and daughter of Beatles star Paul McCartney is emulating Karl Lagerfeld's successful H&M collection last fall, which also drove women to fight tooth and nail.

"It's very intimidating," said Julie Recao, a 24-year-old Parsons School of Design student who was on the line at the dressing room with a pile of clothes.

"I couldn't believe it when that poor woman fell in the middle of the floor and nobody cared. People just stepped over her. It's crazy."

McCartney's is a limited-edition line for H&M, so once this batch sells out, it's over. By Wednesday afternoon, four of the stores were already sold out. The Rockefeller Center shop and one at 34th Street and Seventh Avenue had the most stock and were still replenishing their supply.

"When it sells out, it's gone," says Emily Grosman, an H&M rep.

By yesterday afternoon, an $80 black McCartney sweater was up on eBay with a starting bid of $125 and the following explanation from the high-fashion speculator who posted it:

"I fought the crowds for this piece! . . . There's nothing left!!"

Source: NY Post

That's So New York

Hybrid Cabs Debut in New York City

By DAVID B. CARUSO

NEW YORK -- Hybrid taxis that get double the gas mileage of traditional cabs while generating far less pollution have begun rolling in small numbers on New York's streets.

Delighted environmentalists, city officials and the chairman of Ford Motor Co. posed with the owner of the first hybrid cabs atop a Manhattan auto showroom Thursday to belatedly celebrate last week's quiet debut of the vehicles.

For now, there are only six of the bright yellow Ford Escapes in the city's fleet of more than 12,000 taxis, but owner Gene Freidman said he planned to have 18 on the street by Thanksgiving.

City Councilman David Yassky, who pushed for the legislation authorizing the use of the vehicles as cabs, predicted that thousands more will follow.

"I'm determined that in five years, every cab on the streets of New York will be a hybrid," Yassky said.

The small SUVs run on a combination of gas and electricity and generally emit no exhaust when they are moving slower than 25 mph. They drive the same as regular cabs and never have to be recharged, but passengers will notice some differences.

The Escape has less leg room and a narrower back seat bench than the big Ford Crown Victorias that make up the bulk of the city's fleet. There also wasn't enough room to include a security barrier between the front and back seats.

Drivers, however, might be willing to risk lessened security in exchange for gasoline savings that could amount to thousands of dollars a year.

Cabbie Gennadiy Abramov, who was on hand for Thursday's rollout, said he has saved an average of $20 per shift since he started driving a hybrid.

Abramov said he hasn't heard any complaints about the smaller space.

"The customers want all taxis to be hybrids," he said.

Whether the vehicles proliferate, however, may depend most on whether owners of the city's cab fleets find a long-run financial benefit to justify their extra cost.

Freidman, who operates a fleet of about 650 cabs, said he got interested only after the city offered a chance to buy new taxi medallions for alternative-fuel vehicles at a deep discount.

He and two business partners purchased 18 of the licenses at a savings of about $170,000 each _ more than enough to offset the extra $5,000 to $6,000 cost of buying a hybrid.

New York's Taxi and Limousine Commission later had second thoughts about the deal and tried to call it off. A court battle ensued. The City Council intervened and passed a law this summer that essentially ordered the commission to approve the use of hybrids as cabs.

Future hybrid purchasers won't get a similar incentive, but Freidman said he thought owners would buy them anyway.

"It's a no-brainer. The drivers love them," he said. "I didn't start out green, but I'm green now."

Source: Associated Press

Abercrombie & Fitch hits New York's 5th Avenue

By Dawn Kissi

NEW YORK, Nov 10 (Reuters) - Specialty retailer Abercrombie & Fitch opened its new flagship store on New York's 5th Ave. on Thursday, establishing itself among upscale luxury retailers such as Salvatore Ferragamo and Fendi.

With another location in lower Manhattan, the company's move uptown places it in the midst of some of the world's high-end retailers, while providing maximum visibility.

"If you're wanting to be an aspirational brand, there's no better place to be than Fifth Avenue," said WR Hambrecht analyst Pamela Nagler Quintiliano.

Known as a mall-based retailer, the company is beginning to move toward more stand-alone locations. Increasing its visibility in certain markets is also on the agenda, with new flagships planned for Los Angeles and Las Vegas in 2006.

Located at 720 Fifth Avenue, the four-story, 36,000-square- foot store will offer 28 different kinds of denim at two "denim bars," a fragrance selection and a varied collection of logo T-shirts.

By positioning itself on a tony stretch of 5th Avenue, the company joins affordable brands Gap Inc. , Banana Republic and the J.Crew on an expanse that houses Gucci and Asprey stores, alongside Neiman Marcus-owned Bergdorf Goodman stores.

"Opening a flagship store of that size also says something about the perceived strength of the brand by management," said Piper Jaffray retail analyst Jeffrey Klinefelter. "It's a significant physical presence."

The company, whose roots date back to 1892, is also looking toward an international expansion.

"They are going to go international," said Christine Chen, a retail analyst with Pacific Growth Equities. "But it will be a slow, controlled growth. Their strategy so far has always been in malls."
(Additional reporting by Alexandria Sage in Los Angeles)

Source: Reuters

A&F

New York voters OK $2.9B transportation bond

ALBANY, N.Y. - Voters on Tuesday soundly rejected the state Legislature's attempt to gain control of crafting state budgets from the governor, according to unofficial results.

Voters also authorized the state to borrow $2.9 billion for transportation projects statewide. With 86 percent of districts reporting, 56 percent of voters favored the transportation bond act; 44 percent opposed it.

With approval of Proposition 2, New Yorkers will see the results in the coming construction season. The transportation bond act will provide funding to current and planned highway and bridge projects statewide and to subway and tunnel projects in New York City.

"This is important not just because it will rebuild roads and the economy, but because it shows people are willing to invest in their public infrastructure if they know how it will be spent," said Assemblyman Richard Brodsky, a Westchester Democrat. "Our job was to remind people they can trust their government."

Sixty-four percent of voters said no to Proposition 1, which would have given more budget power to the Legislature; 36 percent favored it.

Under Proposition 1, the Legislature would have gained control of crafting the state budget, to which nearly every program in state government is tied. The governor would lose the upper hand now provided for in the constitution.

"I wouldn't give it to them," said voter Talbert Turner, 35, of Schenectady. "It would be too many people to try to keep an eye on. I think they'll spend money. Not to say that Pataki won't, but we can hold him accountable."

Those who opposed the proposal to change the state's constitution said voters sent a clear message to Albany.

"This is the most important initiative I've seen in my entire time in politics," said Gov. George Pataki, who strongly opposed the proposition. "We are not going to give the Legislature control over the purse strings."

E.J. McMahon of the Empire Center for New York State Policy said defeat of what legislative leaders called budget reform now means "the chances for real reform in Albany are still alive."

"This result is a stinging repudiation of state legislative leaders, and a huge victory for taxpayers," McMahon said.

"This is a victory of New Yorkers over the entrenched Legislature and the special interests they represent," said Marshall Stocker, a spokesman for financial backers of the amendment's opposition forces, Stop the Pork. The group hauled a huge pig statue around the state as the symbol of the Legislature's spending appetite.

Supporters of the proposal called it budget reform because it would have ended what had become a tradition of late budgets. A contingency budget based mostly on the previous year's spending would have automatically been put in place if the governor and legislative leaders failed to agree on a budget by the start of the fiscal year.

"I'm very disappointed," Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno said in a prepared statement. "We will move forward from this decision and continue to work for budget reform." Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver didn't respond to requests for comment.

AP

Judith Miller to leave New York Times

New York Times reporter Judith Miller, a journalist at the center of the CIA leak controversy that led to the indictment of a White House aide, will leave the paper, the New York Times said on Wednesday.

Miller's lawyers and the paper negotiated a severance package, terms of which were not disclosed. As part of the agreement, the paper will publish a letter from Miller explaining her position, The Times said on its Web site.

Miller, a Pulitzer-prize winner who worked at the paper for 28 years, went to jail for 85 days this summer rather than name her source in the CIA leak case.

She eventually obtained assurances from her source, Lewis "Scooter" Libby, Vice President Dick Cheney's former chief of staff, that she could testify about their conversations.

Libby was charged on October 28 with obstructing justice, perjury and lying in the two-year investigation into the leak of covert CIA operative Valerie Plame's identity after her diplomat husband Joseph Wilson criticized the Iraq War.

After the indictment Libby resigned and has since pleaded not guilty.

Miller, 57, who covered national security for The Times, had faced criticism for stories she wrote on weapons of mass destruction in Iraq that turned out to be based on faulty information supplied by Iraqi exiles.

According to The Times' web site, Miller wrote in her letter, to be published in The Times on Thursday, that she had become a "lightning rod for public fury over the intelligence failures that helped lead our country to war" and wanted to leave the paper because she had "become the news."

Executive Editor Bill Keller was quoted in The Times as saying the paper had been hurt by delays in "coming clean" over lapses in its reporting that supported U.S. allegations of Iraqi weapons programs, much of which was written by Miller.

In a letter to The Times staff released on Wednesday, Keller said Miller had "displayed fierce determination and personal courage both in pursuit of the news and in resisting assaults on the freedom of news organizations to report."

Source: Reuters

Michael Bloomberg re-elected as New York mayor in landslide victory

NEW YORK - Billionaire Republican Mayor Michael Bloomberg stormed to a second term with a landslide victory over Democrat Fernando Ferrer - the culmination of a campaign that will go down as the most expensive mayoral re-election in history.

The heavy spending paid off as Bloomberg flattened Ferrer by a 20 percentage-point margin, the largest-ever victory for a Republican over a Democrat in a New York mayoral race. With 100 percent of precincts reporting, Bloomberg had 723,635 votes, or 59 percent, compared with Ferrer's 477,903 votes, or 39 percent.

"All I wanted, and you gave it to me, was four more years," Bloomberg told a packed house at his victory celebration. "Thank you for letting me realize my greatest dreams in the greatest of all cities."

Ferrer gathered his supporters at the Waldorf-Astoria hotel, where his grandmother once earned a living working in the kitchen. He oftene mentioned her and his rise from a poor neighborhood as an example of the "two New Yorks" he said he would unite and represent if elected - a message that never caught on with voters. "It was a fight worth getting into," Ferrer told a cheering crowd after conceding his loss. "Though of course I ran to win, I knew I could lose, so I ran first and foremost to raise a voice for those without one.?

Bloomberg, a former Democrat who was elected four years ago as fires still flared at the World Trade Center site, tapped his $5 billion fortune to bankroll his campaign and was on pace to equal his spending record of $74 million from the 2001 race. He outspent Ferrer about 10-to-1. The pile of money paid for a blizzard of advertising and an army of staffers and advisers who orchestrated a massive get-out-the-vote machine and a campaign that was run like a business and appeared to undercut Ferrer at every turn.

It was Ferrer's third run for mayor in overwhelmingly Democratic New York, and the former Bronx borough president would have been the city's first Latino mayor if elected.

Bloomberg's first-term accomplishments included winning mayoral control of the failing city school system, repairing a crippled economy after the trade center attack and overseeing a tremendous drop in crime. His failures included a bungled attempt to build a new football stadium on Manhattan's West Side, and the slow pace of rebuilding at the trade center site.

Ferrer's two main arguments were that Bloomberg is cozy with national Republican leaders who are extremely unpopular in New York, and that he is an elitist who cares only about wealthy Manhattanites. The former CEO is the 40th richest American on this year's Forbes magazine list.

Source: Associated Press

NYC Marathon closest and biggest in history

NEW YORK: The New York City Marathon winners Paul Tergat and Jelena Prokopcuka rang the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange on Monday, appeared on the David Letterman late-night television talk show and planned to return next year to defend their titles.

The largest marathon in the world boasted the closest men’s finish and had a record $873,500 (£738,750) in prize money. The final count showed 36,894 finishers, 132 more than last year’s record. “This is a wonderful way to wrap up the year,” Tergat said. “Yesterday was a dramatic, painful experience.”

Latvia’s Prokopcuka won in 2:24:41, some 14 seconds ahead of Kenya’s Susan Chepkemei. Last year marked the closest women’s finish, when England’s Paula Radcliffe nipped Chepkemei by 4 seconds. Prokopcuka earned a record $160,000 (£135,320) in prize money and time bonuses, while Tergat won $125,000 (£105,720).
The oldest finishers were 85-year-old Jonathan Mendez (8:03:03) and 81-year-old Vivian Lowery (8:09:26.), both of New York. The last official finisher was 24-year-old Nihal Erkan of Turkey, one of the disabled athletes who started the race at 8 am and finished 10 hours later.

Also, a special shout out and congratulations to my friend Abram Falek for completing the race! You go! You're my personal hero!

Marathon results

That's So New York

sny spotlight: It's Superman! by Tom DeHaven

As a Superman fanatic (check out and order the Chris Reeve dogtags below), it is with great pleasure that I recommend a brand new novel by novelist Tom DeHaven. The book is titled "It's Superman!" and DeHaven takes a unique spin on the familiar characters of Clark Kent, Lois Lane, Lex Luthor and yes, Superman.

Set in the 30's, we follow a young Clark from Smallville to Hollywood and eventually New York City (long represented as Metropolis in the comics and movies). If you were a fan of Michael Chabon's "The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay", by all means check out this strikingly realistic apparaoch to the man of steel.

And remember, Superman Returns is just 7 months away.

What they are saying:

The world's most popular and enduring super hero and acclaimed novelist Tom De Haven come together to create the extraordinary It's Superman!—a novel that reinvents the early years of the Man of Steel. It takes an entirely fresh approach to the emergence of his superpowers and the start of his newspaper career, following him from rural 1930s Kansas across america to Hollywood in its golden age, and then to New York City. He meets a worldly Lois Lane and conniving political boss Lex Luthor, and begins his battles against criminal masterminds, mad scientists, and supervillains inspired by fascists. Sure to appeal to fans of the Derby Dugan trilogy and the novel The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay, as well as devoted Superman readers, It's Superman is a fun and fast-paced novel of thrilling invention, heroic escapades, ill-fitting costumes, and super-sized coming-of-age angst.



Tom De Haven is the author of eight novels, including the Derby Dugan trilogy, hailed as a "wild ride" by the Boston Globe and "brimming with life and characters" by the New York Times Books Review. A frequent contributor to Entertainment Weekly and the New York Times, he lives in Virginia.

It's Superman!

sny spoltlight: Megpunschke.com

"In a world of increasing detachment, it has become ever more important to connect through the arts."

These are the words of artist and poet Meghan Punschke; a good friend and New York transplant (by way of Denver, Colorado--giving us even more of a connection) on her brand spanking new website megpunschke.com (nyc) where you can discover her many diverse artisitc talents.

Sample her poems and artwork (with pottery and a portfolio to come) and check out the recommended events and reading suggestions. it is all certified cool.

megpunschke.com (nyc)

That's SO New York

sny spotlight: 4info

Knowledge is power and when you have that knowledge at your fingertips it makes you quite powerful. 4info (44636) mobile search brings the power of a search engine to your cell phone so you'll never miss a sports score, stock quote or make a wrong turn again.

Simply go to 4info.net and sign up. It's free and all you need to do is text your query. Please note that while 4info.net's search features are free, you may incur costs from your service provider for test messages.

Let the search begin!

4info.net

New York Mayor Bloomberg on brink of landslide re-election

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg looks set to romp to re-election victory this week, cementing an unlikely marriage of convenience between the Republican billionaire and this traditionally Democratic city.

With polls giving Bloomberg a seemingly unassailable 2-1 lead over his Democratic challenger Fernando Ferrer, Tuesday's mayoral election has already taken on the air of a confirmation rather than a competition.

The most striking poll numbers are those showing that 57 percent of likely Democratic voters say they will cast their ballots for Bloomberg, compared with 38 percent for Ferrer.

Bloomberg's lead is all the more remarkable given that two years ago his approval rating stood at 24 percent, the lowest level since the New York Times began taking polls on mayoral performance in 1978.

At the time, the mayor was seen as aloof and dispassionate, and his recipe for handling the city's massive budget deficit -- lay-offs, tax increases and service cuts -- proved deeply unpopular in a city still emerging from the trauma of the September 11, 2001 attacks.

Critics accused him of trying to run the city the way he ran the financial news and information empire that bears his name and made his fortune.

Since then, however, Bloomberg's technocratic pragmatism has proved an effective antidote to New York's post-September 11 malaise, with the deficit brought under control and tourists flocking back to the Big Apple.

School test scores have improved, crime levels have fallen, public hospitals have been revamped, racial tensions cooled and Bloomberg's approval rating has climbed above 60 percent.

It's a scenario in keeping with his inaugural speech promise that New York would "emerge from short-term pain to long-term gain."

His quest for re-election has been backed by endorsements from the city's major influence peddlers, including the New York Times which predicted that another four years of similar accomplishment could see him remembered "as one of the greatest mayors in New York history."

The one caveat to the Times's gushing testimonial regarded what the newspaper called the "obscene" sums that Bloomberg, drawing on his personal fortune, has spent on his two mayoral campaigns.

In 2001, he stumped up 75 million dollars, and in the current campaign he has already spent 64 million dollars -- of which at least 20 million dollars went on advertising.

The Ferrer campaign, by contrast, has an expenditure of seven million dollars.

"It would be tragic if Mr. Bloomberg were mainly remembered as the rich man who bought two elections, and paid far too much for the second one, when he has so many achievements," the Times said.

Others though see an ethical silver lining in Bloomberg's apparent profligacy.

If Bloomberg's millions have bought him virtually unlimited advertising time, they have also bought him financial freedom from the powerful interest groups who have traditionally dominated the city and to whom many previous mayors had become alarmingly beholden.

In an effort to soften his billionaire profile, Bloomberg accepts a salary of only one dollar a year, lives in his own apartment -- rather than the mayoral mansion -- and rides to work and back on the subway.

Despite such efforts, New Yorkers, who have traditionally elected mayors in the brash larger-than-life image of their city like Ed Koch and Rudy Giuliani, have never really taken to Bloomberg on a personal level.

His diminutive stature, stiff demeanour and nasal delivery have defied populist appeal, but he has undoubtedly earned respect for running a city that has often been considered ungovernable.

And although nominally a Republican, Bloomberg is actually a life-long Democrat who switched parties in what was widely seen as a calculated move to secure the mayoral post.

As a result his social views are generally more in line with New York's liberal traditions than the Republican mainstream.

Source: Associated Press

Bronx Teen Stabbed In The Back

BRONX A 19-year-old student was attacked in front of an NYPD mobile command post on Fordham Road this morning. He was headed to school in the Fordham section of the Bronx when he was stabbed in the back, police said.

“There was a lot of blood,” said Livery Cab Driver Nelson Soto. He added that the teen begged him for help. "He asked me to take him to the hospital, but there was too much blood," he said.
The Dewitt Clinton High School student lay bleeding on the trunk of the livery cab until paramedics arrived. At noon, the boy reportedly was in critical condition at St. Barnabas Hospital. Police are interviewing him.
NYPD surveillance cameras ring the square, known as Bryan Park, and were designed to act as a crime deterrent. But residents said the cameras are pointing in the wrong direction, forcing police to rely on eyewitnesses.

One witness said that he saw a group of teens running away from the scene -- three boys and a girl. But the motive for the stabbing remains unclear. "It's just a shame," Soto said.

Source: CBS News

Richardson leads Warriors to victory

NEW YORK (AP) - New York coach Larry Brown is still trying to find the right combination that will bring the Knicks their first victory.

Desperate for a win, Brown tinkered with the New York lineup, playing rookies David Lee, Channing Frye and Nate Robinson together, and it seemed to spark the Knicks. However, Golden State proved to be too much for New York, as Jason Richardson had 24 points to lead the Warriors to an 83-81 victory on Sunday.

"I won't play the rookies all the time, but they earned it," Brown said. "It's going to take some time. We're trying to figure out who can play and who can help us."

Lee, who saw his first action of the season after being on the inactive list the first two games, had seven points during a 16-6 run that spanned the end of the third quarter and beginning of the fourth.

"It felt good to be in there," said Lee, who was constantly hustling to keep balls alive and finished with 10 rebounds. "They recognize I'm a hard worker and that's what I'm going to continue to do every time I step onto a floor."

Golden State guard Baron Davis returned to the starting lineup after missing Friday's loss to Utah with a strained hamstring. He had 16 points and nine assists.

"I tried not to push off too hard on it," Davis said.

Troy Murphy added 17 points and 10 rebounds for the Warriors (2-1).

Stephon Marbury led New York (0-3) with 15 points and six assists. Frye had 12 points and Eddy Curry and Trevor Ariza each added 11.

Curry scored eight in the first quarter as the Knicks kept trying to give him the ball in the post. He got into foul trouble again, and did not return after picking up his fourth foul with 3:16 left in the third quarter.

"When he gets into a little better shape and stays out of foul trouble, he'll stay in the game for longer stretches," Brown said.

With Golden State trailing 74-73 with 5:46 left in the game, Richardson hit a three-pointer as the shot clock expired to give the Warriors the lead for good. Davis added a layup to give the Warriors a four-point lead. He and Richardson combined to hit five of eight free throws down the stretch to seal the victory.

"It's the first road win of the season and when you play at the Garden, you always want to win," Richardson said.

Quentin Richardson was scoreless for New York until the final minute, when he hit a layup and jumper at the buzzer for the final margin.

Davis was only 5-for-17 from the field, but helped Golden State build a 46-39 halftime lead by hitting three three-pointers.

"He's a steadying influence," Golden State coach Mike Montgomery said. "He just keeps the ball in his hands and guys know that he'll be able to get them the ball."

Marbury had a tough first half and didn't hit his first shot until 5:53 left in the second quarter.

The Warriors led 24-20 after the first quarter as Jason Richardson had 10 points and Murphy added eight.

Notes: New York will begin a six-game road trip on Wednesday in Portland. The Knicks play 13 of their first 19 games on the road. ... The Warriors have scored more than 100 points in 18 of their last 21 regular-season games.

Puggles Invade The Big Apple

NEW YORK New York has gone to the hybrid dogs. The New York Post says one of the most popular dogs for families now is the puggle. That's the cross between a pug and a beagle.

One kennel owner in Queens says people are calling him left and right for puggles. He sells his designer dogs for 650 to 900 dollars each. The smaller the puppy the higher the price.

The hybrid trend was started more than 15 years ago by the Australian Labradoodle -- a cross between a Labrador retriever and a poodle. Cross-breeding can produce a dog that's adorable and has a good temperament and allergy-safe fur.

The Post says even ``Sopranos'' tough guy James Gandolfini has bought a puggle recently.

sny spotlight: Superman tags urge action

Sales of new accessory to benefit research on spinal cord injuries

MIKE ANTONUCCI
Knight Ridder

The Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation has sold more than 12,000 packs of Superman Tags -- a pair of dog tags with the Superman logo -- and interest in them may be about to super-accelerate as a style statement.

The foundation, which started selling the tags in May, says celebrities including Nicky Hilton, Josh Holloway, Orlando Bloom and David Boreanaz have given permission to use their names as fans of the tags. The tags, which carry Reeve's exhortation to "Go Forward," were created in cooperation with DC Comics and jewelry designer GTO Design.

The pop-culture world is taking notice, and a recent issue of Wizard: The Comics Magazine notes that the tags are being compared to Lance Armstrong's yellow LiveStrong bracelets. Reeve, the "Superman" movie star who died in October, fought for almost 10 years to overcome the paralysis he suffered after a horseback riding accident.

The tags (one on a clip and one on a chain) are sold online by the foundation as a set for $10, plus shipping and handling: go to www.christopherreeve.org. Proceeds benefit research into treatments and cures for paralysis caused by spinal cord injury, plus quality-of-life grants to improve the well-being of people living with spinal cord injuries.

Celtics Spoil Larry Brown's Knicks Debut

By JIMMY GOLEN, AP Sports Writer

Ricky Davis scored nine of his 27 points in overtime, when the Boston Celtics went on a 9-0 run to beat New York 114-100 in the season opener on Wednesday night and spoil Larry Brown's debut as Knicks coach.

Paul Pierce had 30 points and 12 rebounds, and Delonte West had 14 points, nine rebounds and nine assists for the defending Atlantic Division champions. Stephon Marbury scored 22 and Eddy Curry had 19 points and eight rebounds in his first game since learning of a heart problem that led to his trade to New York.

Pierce had just four points in the second half, and just one in the fourth quarter. He missed one of two free throws with 16 seconds left in regulation and a chance to put the Boston up by three.

Instead, the Celtics led 94-92 and the Knicks sent it into overtime on Antonio Davis' fade-away jumper with 2.6 seconds left in regulation.

But Pierce snapped out of it in overtime, and Ricky Davis also came on late for Boston.

After Marbury was called for an offensive foul, Pierce leaned into Matt Barnes to draw a shooting foul and made both free throws. Next time down, Pierce put a 3-point attempt from the left side over the rim, where Davis grabbed it and shot it back in for a 98-94 lead.

Marbury scored from the lane, then Mark Blount hit a pair of free throws to make it 100-96. Boston then scored the next nine points, starting when West went for a loose ball on the right side, choosing at the last minute not to let it go out of bounds off the Knicks.

He touch-passed to Davis in the corner, who sank a 3-pointer to make it 103-96 with 2:55 left.

The Celtics went 45-37 last season to win the most tightly contested — and most mediocre — division in the NBA. They were eliminated in the first round by the Indiana Pacers in seven games.

The Knicks tied for last in the division and missed the playoffs for the third time in four years. That's when basketball boss Isiah Thomas went after Brown, the former Detroit coach who signed a four-year deal worth at least $8 million a year.

Curry hadn't played since March 28, two days before an irregular heartbeat put him on the Chicago Bulls' bench for the last 13 games of the regular season and the playoffs. When one specialist suggested a DNA test to rule out a serious heart problem, Curry refused and he was traded to the Knicks.

The Knicks led by as many as six points in the first quarter and were ahead 39-31 midway through the second.

Notes:@ Pierce's 24 foul shots were a career high. West had career highs with rebounds, assists and blocks (4). ... Brown and Thomas are the only coach-GM Hall of Fame combo in the NBA.

Source: Associated Press