Opponents of the Natural History Museum’s recently approved Upper West Side expansion intend to protest what might seem an unlikely target on Friday, planning a demonstration outside of the premiere of the new comedy Sisters. The hotly anticipated release stars Tina Fey, who sits on the Museum’s board, and who told the Times she might “stroll into” the 68th street AMC Theater when it opens. NIMBYs, flustered over the proposed loss of green space in Roosevelt Park, will be ready and waiting. (DNA Info)
A Brooklyn elementary school came under fire from the New York Post on Sunday for “banning” santa, along with the pledge of allegiance and Thanksgiving celebrations. Sunset Park’s PS 169 was looking to comply with DOE guidelines promoting religious tolerance, with assistant principal Jose Chaparro reminding staff in an email to “be sensitive of the diversity of our families. Not all children celebrate the same holidays.” The school, whose students are largely Asian and Hispanic, will no longer be adhering to rules as strictly as those laid out in the Post‘s article, with DOE authorities chalking it up to a “misunderstanding that has been rectified.” (NBC New York)
As part of a separate case, the contractor believed to be responsible for a massive East Village explosion last March was sentenced to probation on Monday. Dilber Kukic of the Bronx took a plea deal involving three years probation, 200 hours of community service and a 4,000 dollar fine after facing the charge of felony bribery. Mr. Kukic attempted to pay off an undercover investigator as a means to dismiss violations on two of his properties, each located in Washington Heights. Mr. Kukic was doing work inside 121 Second Avenue when the building exploded, possibly as a result of an illegal gas hookup. (New York Post)
Cops are turning to social media to crack down on gang crime, friending suspected members on Facebook to find evidence of their allegiances. “It’s not worth being a gang member if you can’t in some way brag about your exploits,” Deputy Chief Kevin Catalina told the Daily News. Facebook, Twitter and Instagram are just a few of many tools used by the NYPD’s Gang Division, with Bronx homicide head Edward Talty adding, “you have to put that together with video surveillance and other evidence.” An interactive map showing the locations of gangs throughout the city was also released by the Daily News on Monday. (Daily News)
