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Roundup: King Holds Court in D.C.; Kruger, et al, Face Charges in New York

Thu, 10 Mar 2011 18:09:23 -0500

John Liu's Report: Some important things to know about it from an expert. [Larry Littlefield]

Snow Storm: Bloomberg aides reject City Council recommendations. [WNYC]

Peter King Hearings: A great tick-tock. [Venugopal and Avirgan]

Peter King Hearings: His claims about CAIR are true, but "lack context," and "ultimately gives a false impression." [WaPo]

Peter King Hearings: "Without exception, every Democrat who spoke bemoaned the hearing's focus on Muslims." [Reid Epstein]

Peter King Hearings: "If Republican legislators who deployed restraint are...

You Must Remember This: Plain Jane Edition

Thu, 10 Mar 2011 17:56:55 -0500

Plenty happens each day, but the devil's in the details. How much do you remember?

--Which actor incensed a performance artist by dissing her UCLA commencement speech?

--Which network is experiencing an "executive exodus"? (It's the one you think.)

--Which Oscar-winner has an unexpectedly good, and crass, sense of humor?

--Which young star "fulfills the imperative of plainness with a tight-lipped frown"?

--Which editor may just live to regret his rage against the aggregation machines?

--How nice an apartment can...

MySpace Marketing Gurus Sextuple Space

Thu, 10 Mar 2011 17:39:47 -0500

Big Fuel Communications, the braintrust behind MySpace's marketing campaign, are massively growing their Manhattan headquarters.

The social media marketing and branded content agency, whose clients include Fox (which owns MySpace), as well as Neutrogena and Colgate-Palmolive, have taken 40,000 square feet at 40 West 23rd Street. They were previously headquartered in 6,000 square feet on the fifth floor of the same building, which also houses Home Depot's Chelsea store.

The space was vacated by Marc Ecko, which...

Peter King Declares Victory, Defies Critics

Thu, 10 Mar 2011 17:27:54 -0500

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Peter King was rather pleased with the way his controversial hearing was conducted today.

"I'm more convinced than ever that it was the appropriate hearing to hold," he told reporters in the rotunda of the Cannon building a few minutes after the Homeland Security Committee adjourned its inquiry into the alleged radicalization of Muslim-Americans. "We broke down a wall of political correctness."

King called it an "extremely productive, worthwhile hearing," and he challenged...

Coach Kid Gobbles Up Chipotle Loft

Thu, 10 Mar 2011 17:09:45 -0500

A sleek prewar loft in the middle of Greenwich Village seems like the perfect home for Chipotle founder Steven Ells—a wrap of modern comfort made from authentic, homey ingredients. Yet Mr. Ells bought his burrito-sized seventh-floor spread at 147 Waverly Place in March 2008, only to put it back on the market a month later. In late 2009, he grabbed the far more traditional—call it a steak dinner—penthouse at nearby 40 Fifth Avenue.

"They started...

New Twists in Pretzel King's Times Square Lease

Thu, 10 Mar 2011 16:53:00 -0500

Looks like Europe's most neutral nation has declared a confectionery showdown: on U.S. soil no less.

Swissmaker, the so-called "pretzel pioneer," is opening its first New York location—just down the street from Hershey's flagship store. The candy concern has leased 1,700 square feet for 10 years, with a five-year renewal option at 723 Seventh Avenue, between 48th and 49th streets.

Stephan Bossard started the company, best known for its roasted nuts, soft pretzels and Swiss chocolates...

HuffPo Rising: One More Reason Bill Keller Will Regret This Column

Thu, 10 Mar 2011 16:50:08 -0500

New York Times executive editor Bill Keller might soon be eating the words of this week's column, "All the Aggregation That's Fit To Print."

No, not because he reveals to the world his wife's twilight tweeting habit. Not even because of that paragraphs-long back-door brag about how important we all insist he is.

It's Mr. Keller's characterization of The Huffington Post (and Ms. Huffington herself) as a pirate that might be a bit short-sighted. "Buying an...

Kruger: Accuser

Thu, 10 Mar 2011 16:28:23 -0500

Former New York State Assembly member Frank Seddio told The Politicker this afternoon that he spoke with indicted State Senator Carl Kruger last week after an associate of the Brooklyn lawmaker said he helped Kruger and his top aide solicit bribes.

"I didn't do a thing. [Chief of Staff] Jason [Koppel] didn't do a thing. This guy is a fucking liar," Seddio said Kruger told him.

Seddio, who serves as a district leader in Kruger's southeast Brooklyn...

What Kind of Person Gets Elected in Kruger's District?

Thu, 10 Mar 2011 16:26:57 -0500

A conservative Democrat, apparently.

A political operative with no horse in the race says his own analysis of State Senator Carl Kruger's district confirms what Swing State has (albeit, with slightly different numbers). Swing State says the district - located next door to Coney Island, in Southern Brooklyn - is "the second-reddest seat in the entire state."

In fact, even though there are more registered Democrats than Republicans in Kruger's district (95,000 vs. 27,000), McCain beat Obama...

The Great Recession Never Forgets: Soho Home of $25 Burger in Foreclosure

Thu, 10 Mar 2011 15:57:08 -0500

Not long ago Burger & Barrel opened in Soho offering $25 truffle burgers as if the Great Recession were already over (or perhaps it never began). But reality comes roaring back, with news that lenders have sought to foreclose on the restaurant's home and are marketing the loan for $8.5 million, The Observer has learned.

The red-brick, Thomas O'hara-designed building at 25 West Houston Street was completed in 2004, and purchased by Metropolitan Housing Partners, according...