The New York Observer

When the Queens Democratic Party rolled out its endorsements this morning in Forest Hills, one notable demographic, African Americans, was left without a major candidate. Indeed, Queens’ black political establishment looked on with disappointment as their favored candidates for mayor, borough president and public advocate were passed over for rivals.

Congressman Joe Crowley, the party chair, endorsed Council Speaker Christine Quinn for mayor and former Councilwoman Melinda Katz for borough president. While a vast majority of district leaders voiced their approval, Elmer Blackburne and several other black district leaders dissented, indicating that instead they would support Bill Thompson, the former comptroller, who is also black. Ms. Quinn and Ms. Katz are white. Read More

MONDAY, MAY 20

Benefit: Fire Island Pines Performance Series Benefit Party
A benefit that includes performances by Tyler Ashley, Megha Barnabas and Ryan McNamara, plus music by Thinner, Lauren Dillard and JD Samson. Hosted by John Early and Ladyfag. —Michael H. Miller
209 Elizabeth Street, New York, VIP 6-8 p.m., after party at 8 p.m. Tickets $25 to $100, available at iheartfireisland.org

Inaugural Hyperallergic ArtTalk: Klaus Biesenbach
Want to hear Klaus talk about “Expo 1?” Want to drink some Pernod? Want to high five Hrag Vartanian? Sure you do! —Dan Duray
The Bedford, 110 Bedford Avenue, entrance on North 11th Street, Brooklyn, 7–9 p.m., tickets cost money and are sold out but you never know

TUESDAY, MAY 21

Party: Cousin George, “Coming Out,” at Santos
Art collector George Haddad re-invents himself as Cousin George with this party for his debut album Coming Out. Videos by Luis Gispert, Kalup Linzy and Nate Lowman. Open bar from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. —D.D. Read More

Each year on February 5th, lovers of the crack-laced hazelnut spread Nutella gather to create delicious recipes and spoon-feed each other scoops directly from the jar in celebration of World Nutella Day. But it appears that this year’s festivities may have been the last. Read More

Ex-Assemblyman Vito Lopez’s resignation became effective at 9 a.m. this morning, and Assembly officials wasted little time scrubbing all traces of the disgraced legislator online and in Albany.

Mr. Lopez’s official government website has already been government, as has his official Assembly email address. (“Delivery to the following recipient failed permanently,” a message read.) By 10:30 a.m., the nameplate outside his Legislative Office Building had also been removed–apparently forcibly, per a photo tweeted by The New York Times‘ Thomas Kaplan. His name will also be removed from his floor seat, an official said. Read More

After rumors swirled the past few days that food delivery companies GrubHub and Seamless were in talks to merge, the news is now official. Bloomberg reports that the companies are combining in an effort to out-deliver their competitors in the fast-growing online ordering sector.

Matt Maloney, CEO of Chicago-based GrubHub, will lead the merged entity while New York-based Seamless CEO Jonathan Zabusky will be its president. Financial details have not yet been released but neither company is paying to acquire the other. The company will be rebranded, although a new name hasn’t been selected.
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