Nathan’s Nixes Two Minutes Of Gluttony

The annual July 4th hot dog eating contest held at Nathan’s in Coney Island will be doing its' part to reduce global warming. They’ve agreed to reduce the contest length from 12 minutes down to 10. This change is being made at the insistence of George Shea of Major League Eating which manages the event. He claims that he’s found notes from 1917 stating that the frankfurter contest lasted only 10 minutes. An article from 1986 corroborated that time limit. Shea believes he’s preserving history, not changing it by instituting this new rule. Whether last year’s winner, Joey Chestnut can best his record of eating 60 hot dogs in just 10 minutes this year remains to be seen. Takero Kobayashi from Japan has previously won the event on six occasions. This year, time and time difference will decide who eats the most hot dogs and buns. Hot gases will be rising from the contestants’ buns this coming week. Be prepared for a heat wave, Brooklyn! Look away from your television set, Al Gore!

OTB Remains A Sure Bet

Governor Paterson and Mayor Bloomberg crossed the Finish Line with a last minute agreement to save Off-Track Betting in New York City. The deal is pending approval by both houses of the New York State Legislature. The pact is somewhat complicated with many financial considerations for both sides. No details will be discussed here. Suffice to say, Mayor Bloomberg’s gamble to close OTB offices in the city unless New York received a bigger share of the profits apparently worked. Albany chose to "bite the bullet" that might have sent OTB to "the glue factory." The compromise between the city and state guarantees the jobs of 1,500 OTB workers and no doubt pleases the many hundreds of thousands of pony-players who bet throughout the Big Apple. Well, it probably pleases them only until their horses finish out-of-the-money! And now, some famous quotes … A racehorse is an animal that can take several thousand people for a ride at the same time. ~Author Unknown … I bet on a horse at ten-to-one. It didn't come in until half-past five. ~Henny Youngman … A race track (OTB?) is a place where windows clean people. ~Danny Thomas

City Site For City Wheelers

There’s a new Internet Web site (Because billions just isn't enough!) that assures New York City bike riders a better chance of getting from “here to there” than ever before. It’s called Ridethecity.com. Before biking away to your destination, click here first to learn the fastest and safest bicycle routes to take and to receive other cyclist’s input which may prove invaluable. Surf before you pedal!

Cheaper Pills For New Yorkers’ Ills

Finally, something for some city residents to feel better about. Drug manufacturers and some participating drugstores including Duane Reade, CVS and Rite Aid are working together to offer New Yorkers without prescription drug benefits, reduced prices on their purchases. Plan participants will receive a “New York Rx card” to get their discounts. You may obtain more information and apply for the card at any Kmart store. You may also go online at newyorkrxcard.com. Get it. Flash it. Save. Swallow. That’s good medicine.

The Gift Of Akituusaq

In the Siberian Yupik language, Akituusaq means, “gift given in return.” Many aquarium-goers have come and gone since the first mammals of this species were displayed over a century ago. It took 112 years for a walrus to successfully deliver the first baby walrus at the New York Aquarium. Though Akituusaq remains his mama's son, he is truly a gift for all New Yorkers. Now 1-year old and a healthy 115 pounds, Akituusaq is a gift that will keep on giving, both to us and our children, many years of enjoyment as he matures. Happy birthday blubbery boy!

Pigeons' Cooing Fanatics

Some bird enthusiasts truly enjoy New York City’s infamous pigeon. Most city residents (and all statues) do not like the bird. They regard it as did Woody Allen when he referred to a pigeon as “a rat with wings.” Nevertheless, a small group of admirers recently gathered together on Pigeon Hill in Central Park to celebrate “National Pigeon Day.” The group praised the bird in song and word. They spoke of pigeons' honorable service during both World Wars as message carriers. When all was said and done though, no plans were mentioned to erect a statue in the pigeon’s honor. I wonder why?

This Old House May Want Yours

After 29 highly successful seasons, PBS’s “This Old House” is about to really make it to the big time. The show’s producers are planning to renovate their very first home in New York City! So far, Brooklyn homeowners have responded more than those elsewhere, but homes in all boroughs are still being considered. The project home must meet certain criteria. 1) Renovations must be able to be completed within 5 months. 2) The home must be at least 50 years old. 3) The home’s neighborhood must have “character,” but probably not characters. Historic districts might be a problem because of the red tape involved in getting approval for improvements and alterations. 4) The producers are looking for homes that are in a neighborhood with history and places to explore. 5) They’d also prefer that renovations include a bit of everything like wiring, heating, cooling, plumbing, landscaping, etc. Now after all of that, think your money pit still qualifies? If so, visit oldhouse-myhouse.thisoldhouse.com by July 4th to apply. Maybe you’ll be fortunate enough to have the bearded one enter your home so you can shout out, “Norm!” Sorry. Wrong television show.