Widow “Belts” Boxer’s Grandson

Rocky Graziano was a boxer. Rocky Graziano was a champion. Rocky Graziano was a New Yorker. Paul Newman starred in a boxing movie about his life called, "Somebody Up There Likes Me." Famous, loveable guy, he was. Sadly, his grandson looks to profit from the man’s fame instead of being proud just to be related to it. The grandson, Aaron Graziano, was recently looking to sell the prizefighter’s belt. That’s when Rocky’s widow, Norma Graziano, 83, got wind of it and “stepped into the ring” to fight back. The belt was awarded 61 years ago in Chicago. The year was 1947 when Rocky beat Tony Zale in Chicago. Norma said that she let her daughter Audrey hold the belt. When she died, the “little creep” as she referred to Aaron, got hold of it. He promised to return it but never did. Aaron insists he owns the belt. Let’s root for the widow.

Monroe The New Yorker

Hollywood legend Marilyn Monroe was a New Yorker. So says Manhattan Federal Judge Colleen McMahon in a dispute between Monroe’s estate and the heirs of photographer Sam Shaw. He took famous shots of Marilyn including the famous one of her in a billowing dress over a New York City subway grate. Because she died a New Yorker, the judge ruled in favor of the heirs to the Sam Shaw archives. They're now entitled to copyright royalties from images of the dead celebrity. The judge used Marilyn's last income tax filing address and the fact that she kept a Manhattan pad as primary evidence in the ruling. Monroe reportedly told a friend that her trips to California were purely for business. I guess that made New York "Fun City" to Ms. Monroe. Thanks, judge! Marilyn’s an “official” Big Apple beauty, now!

High Fives For High Bridge

Mayor Bloomberg announced that High Bridge Park in Washington Heights is now "safe." He also declared that the 1800’s pedestrian bridge that connects Manhattan and The Bronx will be getting a $60 million rehab. This project will be part of many other improvements throughout the park. Much more needs to be done in this long neglected area. Nevertheless, local residents and all New Yorkers should celebrate the fact that something is finally being done. In our "city of bridges," this is a truly beautiful and historic span worth every penny spent towards its preservation.

Bad Economy Burns Ex-New Yorkers

As hard economic times take root in the city, fewer New Yorkers can afford to leave the traditional way … in a casket. More and more families are turning to cremation as a less expensive alternative to saying “goodbye” to the dearly departed. Low end cremations cost around $400 compared to $8,500 for a burial crypt; plot not included. The Cremation Association of North America claims that cremations are up by 33% between 2004-2006. I wonder why the Association doesn’t have more current statistics available. I guess they’re waiting for the smoke to clear!

"No Bid" - No More

Yet another questionable deal by New York City's Board of Education has come to light. The Board claim their “no bid” contract policy gets things done quicker and provides for a better curriculum. In fiscal year 2000, they approved 7 no-bid contracts for $693,000. In fiscal year 2007, 76 were approved for $72 million. In 2003, the Board of Ed came under Mayor Bloomberg’s control; except that the bidding process seems to be spiraling out of control. “No bid” contracts with the Department of Education, or with any city agency for that matter are “no good.” Often, money is wasted on deals with questionable contractors with poor monitoring and unfavorable results. Whether or not the school's “curriculum” improved by a factor of 100 like bid contract totals the past seven fiscal years is doubtful. The city’s bidding process for government contracts should be wide open to public scrutiny. All qualified bidders (Measured by dollars and details.) should be permitted to contest for all city contracts. New Yorker's are entitled to the most and the best for their money. Every penny of it.

Don’t Wait To Walk The Dog

New York City’s Web site has, “gone to the dogs.” Mayor Bloomberg announced that dog owners may now go to www.nyc.gov to get or renew licenses for their pooches. This will save about three weeks compared to mailing back and forth. Surprisingly, an estimated 500,000 New Yorkers own dogs. Not surprising is the fact that many New Yorkers don’t register their dogs. What dogs!

San Fran Arrests Our Times Square Man

SFO police officers busted NYC’s Naked Cowboy for sidewalk singing in a “restricted” area of their version of Union Square. Liberal as they are on the “left coast,” a New Yorker in his underwear is somehow offensive to their society. Radicals can disrupt church services, illegal aliens are embraced by the local government, but our Robert Burck can’t belt out a ballad in the “city by the bay.” Perhaps a singing cowboy from New York is only welcome out there when part of a larger singing group like the Village People.