Are You an Idiot?
Looking for something insane to do today? How about racing from Dumbo to Union Square in a shopping cart? The Idiotarod may be for you. Race time: 1 p.m. From the race site: "The rolling pageant and grueling endurance race will happen rain or shine, blizzard or breeze." You may be shocked to learn that alcohol will be involved. (Link via Lockhart Steele.)
- posted by Amy @ Saturday, January 24, 2004

 
Bloggers in the Real World
Today's hot event in the city is of course the Big Apple Blogger Bash starting at 7 p.m. We'll see you tonight at AZ, located at 21 W. 17th St., between 5th and 6th Aves.

UPDATE: It turns out AZ is the most evil bar in Manhattan. The bloggers were thrown out only about an hour after the bash got started. The crew was last seen heading to Siberia on 40th between 8th and 9th.
- posted by Amy @ Friday, January 23, 2004

 
Happy Monkey
Happy Chinese New Year. It's the Year of the Monkey and we hope you'll be out loving the monkey today. Guide to Chinese New Year in New York from About.com.
- posted by Amy @ Thursday, January 22, 2004

 
Who Ordered that Mask Ban?
New York, the center of the free world. The land of no smoking, no booze buying on Sunday morning, no winning a free game of pinball, and now: no wearing masks in public. From the NY1 report: "A federal appeals court ruled Tuesday that a New York State law banning the wearing of masks at public gatherings is constitutional. ... The law charges a person with loitering if he or she is part of a group disguised or wearing masks in public."
- posted by Amy @ Wednesday, January 21, 2004

 
Ice Skating in NYC
So many fine choices for the ice skater in New York City. Is it a day for the wide open spaces of the Wollman Rink in Central Park? Or better suited for a more compact glide under the tree at Rockefeller Center with Frank singing the city's theme song? Here's a guide to help you decide.
- posted by Amy @ Tuesday, January 20, 2004

 
Honoring MLK Jr.
A number of events are taking place around the city today to honor the life of Martin Luther King Jr. Gotham Gazette has a listing of a few events, as does CitySearch. NY1 has a list of holiday closures and notes that subways will run on a regular weekday schedule and the main post office at 33rd and Eighth is actually open today.
- posted by Amy @ Monday, January 19, 2004

 
Watch Your Step
Apparently some Con Ed wires missing their insulation caused the death Friday night of an East Village woman walking her dogs in front of Veniero's Pastries at 1st Ave. and 11th Street. The Daily News version: "Indications are that a frayed wire, worn down by snow and road salt, sent a surge through a metal-trimmed cable cover in the street." Jodie Lane, a 30-year-old Columbia University PhD student, died from the jolt. Her two dogs were also injured - including Reilly, whose toenails were burned off. The New York Times reports it's not the first time a fluke accident like this has happened. A horse was electrocuted on Park Ave. in a similar way in 1999.

Until officials decide what really happened, you may want to stick to solid concrete.
- posted by Amy @ Sunday, January 18, 2004