GET UPDATED WITH NYPOST.COM: THE SOURCE FOR NEWS Good morning, nelayan!
Regional News: http://web1.nypost.com/news/news.htm GIFFORD PUSHES TO SMARTEN UP APPLE SCHOOLS: http://www.nypost.com/news/regionalnews/36447.htm Some of the city's brightest kids are being shortchanged by a school system that does not offer enough academically challenging classes, City Council Speaker Gifford Miller charged yesterday. LAST-MINUTE PLEA TO PATAKI TO NIX FARE AND TOLL INCREASES: http://www.nypost.com/news/regionalnews/36453.htm By CLEMENTE LISI With Gov. Pataki's six appointees to the MTA board expected to tilt the scales in favor of a fare and toll hike Thursday, transit advocates will call on the governor today to slam the brakes on the increases. CHUCK CALLS FOR 7-TRAIN LINK TO PENN STATION: http://www.nypost.com/news/regionalnews/36460.htm Sen. Charles Schumer yesterday asked city officials to revise their West Side plan so the extension of the No. 7 subway line includes a link from Grand Central Terminal to Penn Station. CHEF-CHARITY BOSS $ERVED SELF: COPS: http://www.nypost.com/news/regionalnews/36466.htm By LAURA ITALIANO The ex-president of the James Beard Foundation was indicted yesterday on charges he pillaged the esteemed foodie's charity � pocketing as much as $1 million over the past four years. 'DOUBLE' DEALER GUILTY OF ART FRAUD: http://www.nypost.com/news/regionalnews/36470.htm By CARL CAMPANILE A Manhattan art dealer pleaded guilty yesterday to commissioning forgeries of works by at least five famous painters and selling the counterfeits for $7 million in a scam that he carried out over 15 years. DANNY'S OWN TESTIMONY OF SADISTIC GAME WITH STUN GUN SEALED HIS FATE: http://www.nypost.com/news/regionalnews/36477.htm By KIERAN CROWLEY, SELIM ALGAR and MARSHA KRANES Danny Pelosi zapped himself. The on-the-make Long Island electrician was found guilty yesterday of the 2001 murder of megamillionaire banker Ted Ammon � and it was his own testimony that did him in. SAN GENNARO DONATES 127G TO CHARITY: http://www.nypost.com/news/regionalnews/36467.htm The formerly mob-tainted Feast of San Gennaro announced yesterday it has donated $127,000 to charity from this year's street fair. SUED ICE-CREAM SHOP: OUR CAKE'S BETTER: http://www.nypost.com/news/regionalnews/36468.htm By DAREH GREGORIAN The ice cream chain accused of knocking off a Manhattan bakery's designer cupcakes says there is a difference between their's and Crumbs' � their's tastes better. HOME TWEET HOME: http://www.nypost.com/news/regionalnews/36471.htm By MICHAEL WARNER and LEONARD GREENE Score one for the hawks. Supporters of the city's celebrity homeless birds have a handshake deal with the board of the ritzy co-op where the hawks used to live to restore their nest. VELELLA IN-LAW IS OUT: http://www.nypost.com/news/regionalnews/36459.htm By DAVID SEIFMAN Guy Velella's son-in-law had better start cleaning out his desk at the Board of Standards and Appeals. MANHUNT'S ON FOR FDR CRASH 'TOSSER': http://www.nypost.com/news/regionalnews/36463.htm By JAMIE SCHRAM Cops are looking for a person who tossed debris onto the FDR Drive and may have caused a five-car pile-up, police said. %*&#! GOTTI TAPE: http://www.nypost.com/news/regionalnews/36465.htm By CARL CAMPANILE A prison tape of late Gambino boss John Gotti spewing anti-black and anti-gay remarks � as well as a tirade suggesting he wanted mob turncoat Salvatore "Sammy Bull" Gravano killed � looms large in the trial of his brother, Peter Gotti. FIEND WHO RAPED AND BEAT GIRL WILL ROT IN PRISON: http://www.nypost.com/news/regionalnews/36452.htm By DEVIN SMITH A sicko father of three who raped and pummeled a 13-year-old Long Island girl nearly to death was sentenced yesterday to 65 years behind bars. BROOKLYN DEATH CRASH: http://www.nypost.com/news/regionalnews/36469.htm By JAMIE SCHRAM A Brooklyn man was killed yesterday when his motorcycle hit an SUV making an illegal left turn, police said. HARASS FUROR AT FDNY: http://www.nypost.com/news/regionalnews/36473.htm By BRIDGET HARRISON The first woman to join an elite FDNY unit � who was transferred amid complaints of sexual harassment � caused resentment in her firehouse because the men thought she didn't have the build to carry heavy equipment and disrupted living conditions, FDNY sources said yesterday. 3 CLEARED IN HAZING: http://www.nypost.com/news/regionalnews/36458.htm By ALEX GINSBERG A Queens courtroom erupted in wild applause and shouts of joy yesterday after a jury acquitted three St. John's frat brothers of paddling a pledge into kidney failure. SOCIAL WORKER ADMITS KILLING HER EX: http://www.nypost.com/news/regionalnews/36455.htm A city social worker who shot her former boyfriend and stuffed his body in a bag under her basement stairs will serve 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to manslaughter yesterday. SUSPECT HELD IN B'DAY SLAY: http://www.nypost.com/news/regionalnews/36464.htm By LORENA MONGELLI & PERRY CHIARAMONTE A flower-shop worker has been busted for allegedly ordering a brutal hit in which a Bronx teen was stabbed to death on his birthday, police said yesterday. SHOT COP'S JUSTICE: http://www.nypost.com/news/regionalnews/36445.htm By LAURA ITALIANO The paroled druggie who shot an NYPD captain in Harlem last year was led away to prison yesterday as his victim watched, healthy and satisfied, from the back of the courtroom. National News: http://web1.nypost.com/news/news.htm YULE JUST DIE: http://www.nypost.com/news/nationalnews/36462.htm By ANDY SOLTIS The most wonderful day of the year is the also deadliest � because Americans join the angels at a 12.4 percent higher rate on Dec. 25 than at other times, researchers said yesterday. DANNY'S OWN TESTIMONY OF SADISTIC GAME WITH STUN GUN SEALED HIS FATE: http://www.nypost.com/news/nationalnews/36481.htm By KIERAN CROWLEY, SELIM ALGAR and MARSHA KRANES Danny Pelosi zapped himself. The on-the-make Long Island electrician was found guilty yesterday of the 2001 murder of megamillionaire banker Ted Ammon � and it was his own testimony that did him in. BUSH PICKS UTAH EX-GOV FOR HEALTH CHIEF: http://www.nypost.com/news/nationalnews/36448.htm WASHINGTON � President Bush yesterday tapped his environmental chief, Michael Leavitt, as his new health secretary � removing one of the top contenders to replace Bernard Kerik as his choice for homeland-security secretary. JUSTICE FOR LACI: http://www.nypost.com/news/nationalnews/36476.htm By HOWARD BREUER and KATE SHEEHY An unflinching California jury yesterday asked to see a particularly poignant photo of beaming mom-to-be Laci Peterson one last time, then delivered the ultimate penalty � death � to her killer husband. COLD ATTITUDE HELPED DOOM HIM, SAY JURORS: http://www.nypost.com/news/nationalnews/36479.htm By DAVID K. LI and KATE SHEEHY For the jury foreman, it was crucial that the bodies of Laci Peterson and her fetus were found exactly where a tidal expert said they would wash up if her husband had dumped her body while fishing in the area. EGG-ON-FACE RUDY STILL IN BUSH'S GOOD GRACES: http://www.nypost.com/news/nationalnews/36456.htm By IAN BISHOP WASHINGTON � President Bush is giving Rudy Giuliani a pass for pushing scandal-scarred former top cop Bernard Kerik as homeland-security chief, and the pols are still "very good friends," the White House says. 'I'M NOT PERFECT': http://www.nypost.com/news/nationalnews/36475.htm By ANGELINA CAPPIELLO and IAN BISHOP An emotional Bernard Kerik yesterday admitted "I'm not perfect" and begged forgiveness from everyone in sight for his bungled nomination for homeland-security chief � including two women with whom he allegedly had affairs. MOVING 'SIDEWAYS': http://www.nypost.com/news/nationalnews/36454.htm By RUSSELL SCOTT SMITH Forget controversial films like "The Passion of Christ" and "Fahrenheit 9/11." When it comes to nominating the best of the year, Golden Globes voters are far more interested in movies about drinking wine, singing the blues and chasing women. AND THE NOMINEES ARE...: http://www.nypost.com/news/nationalnews/36480.htm MOVIESPicture (drama) "The Aviator," "Closer," "Finding Neverland," "Hotel Rwanda," "Kinsey," "Million Dollar Baby" BID TO NIX 'FIERY' WITNESS: http://www.nypost.com/news/nationalnews/36461.htm By KATI CORNELL SMITH Federal prosecutors are scrambling to keep jurors in the upcoming terror- financing trial of a Yemeni sheik from learning that a key FBI informant set himself on fire in a sensational stunt outside the White House. World News: http://web1.nypost.com/news/news.htm PROBERS DROOLING AT RICH: http://www.nypost.com/news/worldnews/36457.htm By NILES LATHEM WASHINGTON � Manhattan grand juries probing the U.N. oil-for-food scandal have subpoenaed some 20 U.S. businesses and individuals � and pardoned billionaire Marc Rich is sure to join them if he returns to the United States, law-enforcement sources told The Post. DOCS TEST DIABETES VACCINE: http://www.nypost.com/news/worldnews/36444.htm By BILL HOFFMANN A vaccine that could help wipe out Type 1 diabetes will be tested on patients next year. BOMB JUST MISSES HAMAS BIG: http://www.nypost.com/news/worldnews/36451.htm JERUSALEM � Syria charged Israel's Mossad spies with blowing up the car of a Hamas commander in Damascus yesterday by placing a bomb under the driver's seat. U2 MAKES ROCK HALL OF FAME: http://www.nypost.com/news/worldnews/36449.htm LOS ANGELES � Irish band U2 will join the legends in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame next year, organizers said yesterday. WOLFE'S BAD SEX WINS BIG: http://www.nypost.com/news/worldnews/36472.htm LONDON � Writer Tom Wolfe won one of the world's most dreaded literary accolades yesterday � the British prize for bad sex in fiction. All Horoscopes: http://web1.nypost.com/cgi-bin/horoscope.pl ARIES The more others warn that you are biting off more than you can chew, the more certain you can be that you are doing the right thing. The only reason they are trying to dissuade you from doing more is because they fear you will show them up - and they're right, you will. Make use of the sun in Sagittarius to reach new heights of success. 1-900-990-7810* TAURUS It's not like you to take risks, especially when money is involved, but today's cosmic picture urges you to be a bit more adventurous. If your inner voice tells you that something is worth taking a chance on, then you must act on what it suggests, even though everyone else may be telling you the opposite. You'll regret it if you're too cautious. 1-900-990-7811* GEMINI It's not often you want to be left alone - too much quiet makes you feel nervous - but the planets suggest you have some serious thinking to do and for that you need to be free of noise and distractions. Find yourself a nice secluded spot where you won't be disturbed and focus your mind on what has been troubling you. 1-900-990-7812* CANCER If something good comes your way today - and according to the planets, it most likely will - you can be sure that you have earned it and deserve it. Others may say you have been lucky or may even hint darkly that there may be some sort of duplicity involved, but it is just sour grapes. Ignore them. Don't let anyone spoil your enjoyment. 1-900-990-7813* LEO If you have still not accomplished all you set out to do, then you must act quickly because time is running out. You have exactly one week, until the sun changes signs on the 21st, to successfully complete what it is you have been working on - if you leave it later than that, you may never get it finished. Don't think about it, just do it. 1-900-990-7814* VIRGO Don't let pride stop you from saying you're sorry to someone you recently had harsh words with. You may have been provoked, but now you have calmed down you can see that you went a bit over the top. If you make the right noises today, friends and family members will forgive you no matter what you said or how you said it. 1-900-990-7815* LIBRA Just because others are breaking rules and cutting corners does not mean you can do so, too. Libra is the sign of the balance and that means that you know more than most that all things must be balanced out in the end. It may seem as if others are getting away with murder right now, but one day they will have to pay for their dishonesty. 1-900-990-7816* SCORPIO If you invite other people to give you advice today, you will most likely end up even more confused than you were before. You don't need to be told what you should be doing because deep down you know the answer already. You can always find someone who will tell you what you want to hear, but what you need to hear comes from within. 1-900-990-7817* SAGITTARIUS You will find a way to get what it is you desire today but, having got it, you will be strangely dissatisfied. The most likely reason, of course, is that you wanted it only for superficial reasons, so the pleasure you get from it will be shallow as well. You're not a trivial person, so steer clear of trivial things. 1-900-990-7818* CAPRICORN Your birth sign has a reputation for being a bit careful with cash, but every now and then you try to prove you are not as prudent as some people think by spending money like it is going out of fashion. If you do that today you will regret it tomorrow when you realize how much you have wasted. Better to be stingy than sorry. 1-900-990-7819* AQUARIUS You will want to be friends with everybody today and everybody will want to be friends with you. However, there is also a danger that you will allow yourself to be lead into situations that are not in your interests simply because you do not want to be the odd one out. Come on, you're an Aquarius; you are supposed to be independent. 1-900-990-7808* PISCES There is a danger today that someone you live, work or do business with will boost your expectations to unrealistic levels. Yes, you have lots of talent and, yes, you should be doing more with it than you are at present, but don't start thinking you can take on the world. Keep your aims simple and don't let praise go to your head. 1-900-990-7809* Sports News: http://web1.nypost.com/sports/sports.shtml PEDRO ALL BUTAN AMAZIN' ACE: http://www.nypost.com/sports/mets/32706.htm By MARK HALE ANAHEIM � The man has won three Cy Young Awards, captured a championship and been one of the game's most dominant aces for a decade. And now in a stunning development, Pedro Martinez is on the brink of bringing his Hall-of-Fame credentials to Shea. According to numerous sources, Martinez, the eccentric Jheri-curled right-handed ace, is ready to spurn Boston for Flushing. SHEA READY TO ROCK AGAIN: http://www.nypost.com/sports/mets/32704.htm THE Mets have to do this. They have to overpay. They have to blow Pedro Martinez out of the water. They have to reel in the biggest fish they've corralled since Mike Piazza tumbled out of the sky nearly seven years ago. Their credibility is at stake. Their viability is at stake. DESPERATE HOOPS-WIFE: http://www.nypost.com/sports/32695.htm REMEMBER when the Lakers' "three-ring" circus was simply silly? Last season it became painfully sad. Well, now they've got themselves a full-blown stench. And it's getting more toxic by the aftershock. As noted in this space last Friday, Kobe Bryant's radio rant regarding Karl Malone wasn't faintly innocent, which makes his subsequent artificial apology (on orders from team owner Jerry Buss) hysterical. GARY TO UNION: DIE: http://www.nypost.com/sports/32700.htm TORONTO � Two weeks ago Gary Bettman visited Edmonton and designated the Alberta city as the ultimate NHL small-market representative that would require a hard salary cap to stay in business. Except there's a significant problem with that portrayal. COACH � LEAVING MAY BE BEST FOR LEINART: http://www.nypost.com/sports/32701.htm By DAN MARTIN Matt Leinart says he wants to come back to Southern Cal for his senior season, despite already possessing a national championship and, since Saturday night, a Heisman Trophy. IRISH MAY LOSE RECRUITS: http://www.nypost.com/sports/32689.htm By DAN MARTIN Both Brian Cushing and Jimmy Dray had Notre Dame on their short lists before the school axed head coach Ty Willingham after a 6-5 regular season. And although the Irish have hired New England offensive coordinator Charlie Weis to take over the program, the Bergen Catholic stars still aren't looking at the school the same way. WHITE'S FEELING GOOD AT LINCOLN: http://www.nypost.com/sports/32697.htm By DAN MARTIN Kevin White Jr. stepped on the court at Lincoln High for the first time as a member of the Railsplitters yesterday and admitted it took some getting used to. INTEREST IN LOWE HEATS UP: http://www.nypost.com/sports/32707.htm By MICHAEL MORRISSEY ANAHEIM � Scott Boras claimed interest in Derek Lowe is climbing � while Carlos Beltran's next possible destination is being whittled down. D'BACKS WON'T BUDGE: http://www.nypost.com/sports/yankees/32703.htm By GEORGE KING ANAHEIM � Arizona's song remains the same. And to the Yankees' ears, it's like listening to finger nails traveling across a chalkboard. PEDRO'S A GREAT PRESENT: http://www.nypost.com/sports/mets/32705.htm By MARK HALE ANAHEIM � At first, Mike Cameron couldn't believe it and was reluctant to say much. Then he heard Larry Lucchino's concession e-mail in which the Sox president said they had lost Pedro Martinez to the Mets. A ROOKIE'S MISTAKES: http://www.nypost.com/sports/giants/32693.htm By PAUL SCHWARTZ The here-and-now is so bad that it takes either extreme patience or blind faith to project Eli Manning as the franchise quarterback the Giants purport he will be. Manning has overseen 44 possessions in his four starts and come away with one touchdown, three field goals and few glimpses of competence, much less greatness. NO REASON TO WATCH: http://www.nypost.com/sports/giants/32690.htm By PAUL SCHWARTZ QUARTERBACKS Eli Manning (4 of 18, 27 yards, 2 INTs) pulled a Blutarski with a rating of zero point zero. Perhaps a food fight is in order to break the tension. TURNING OVER THE SEASON: http://www.nypost.com/sports/giants/32691.htm By PAUL SCHWARTZ When the Giants were 5-2, they were riding high with a turnover margin of plus-12, tied for the best in the league. Six losses later, the Giants are at plus-one. They are 5-0 when they win the turnover battle, 0-8 when they lose or tie it. TAKING OFFENSE: http://www.nypost.com/sports/jets/32702.htm By MARK CANNIZZARO As the December chill descends upon the Jets and their playoff chances hang very much in the balance of the next three games, emotions are becoming raw at Weeb Ewbank Hall. RED-ZONE DUDS: http://www.nypost.com/sports/jets/32698.htm By MARK CANNIZZARO QUARTERBACKS Chad Pennington (17-of-31, 189 yards, 3 INTs, 33.6 rating) had a poor day, short-arming on a couple of INTs and failing not only to get his team into the end zone, but into the red zone. GANG GREEN CONTROL OWN PLAYOFF FATE: http://www.nypost.com/sports/jets/32699.htm By MARK CANNIZZARO The Jets can clinch a playoff berth this weekend. They will be in as an AFC wild card team if they beat the Seahawks, the Broncos lose to the Chiefs, the Bills lose to or tie the Bengals, the Jaguars lose to or tie the Packers and the Ravens clinch a strength of victory tiebreaker over the Broncos. VINCE WORTH JAMAL PRICE: http://www.nypost.com/sports/knicks/32694.htm By MARC BERMAN AFTER watching him in a Knick uniform for two months, many fans are smitten with Jamal Crawford, his breezy personality, exciting crossover dribble and dipsy-doodle moves reminiscent of Earl "The Pearl" Monroe. 'D' PROVING TOPIC 'A' FOR KNICKS: http://www.nypost.com/sports/knicks/32696.htm By BRIAN LEWIS The Knicks cross the Hudson to face the Nets tonight in the first meeting with their cross-river rivals since getting swept out of last season's playoffs. KIDD'S WORKLOAD TO RISE GRADUALLY: http://www.nypost.com/sports/nets/32692.htm By EVAN GROSSMAN Jason Kidd is still limited in the number of minutes he can log since his return from off-season knee surgery, but the star point guard is not scheduled to see any doctors in the foreseeable future. Nets coach Lawrence Frank points out that they have an easier way of monitoring Kidd. Gossip: http://web1.nypost.com/gossip/gossip.htm : http://web1.nypost.com/gossip/pagesix.htm CHARITY WORLD'S CREEPY SIDE By Richard Johnson : http://web1.nypost.com/gossip/cindy.htm STEROID MESS MAY STRIKE OUT OWNERS By Cindy Adams IT is well-known that I am a truly won derful person and, thus, absolutely not one to be a grinch at this time of year. However, 'tis my duty to inform you, yet another lousy ratty baseball scandal is out there in the ozone. Sort of hanging around third base, a person might say. : http://web1.nypost.com/gossip/liz.htm TRAVOLTA: ESSENCE OF 'COOL' By Liz Smith Weather: http://weather.nypost.com NEW YORK , NY Get the extended forcast here from the New York Post.: http://weather.nypost.com Traffic: http://traffic.nypost.com/ metrocommute HeadlineManhattan 2004 Holiday Season - Traffic Adivsory Due to the upcoming 2004 Holiday Season there will be heavy congestion in Midtown Manhattan caused by shopping and festivities that will be taking place. It is advised for people to use mass transit as much as possible therefore helping traffic to move along smoothly. So please plan ahead for early travel and leave at least 20 minutes before schedule. There is also a 10 Day Gridlock Alert Day designated for the Holiday Traffic. These Days are as follows:Friday, November. 19: The Friday before Thanksgiving.Wednesday, November. 24: The day before Thanksgiving. Matinee day at Broadway theaters adds to traffic congestion in the midtown theater district.Tuesday, November. 30: Tree lighting ceremony at Rockefeller Center.Friday, December. 10: A popular shopping day.Wednesday, December. 15: Matinee day at Broadway theaters and a popular shopping day.Thursday, December. 16: A popular shopping day.Friday, December. 17: A popular shopping day.Wednesday, December. 22: Matinee day at Broadway theaters and a popular shopping day.Thursday, December. 23: The day before Christmas Eve. metrocommute DelayNassau County Under 30 mph on SSP-WB: 29 to 28AUnder 30 mph on Southern State Parkway westbound Exit 29 to Exit 28A metrocommute Special EventManhattan Knicks @ Madison Square Garden thru November & DecemberThe Knicks host at the Madison Square Garden in the months of November & December. Expect some extra traffic on 7th Ave., 8th Ave., and in the west 30s, 2 hours before the game, after the game.*Please arrive early due to new security checks*Opponents, dates and times of games are:Atlanta Hawks, Nov. 23, 7:30 PMToronto Raptors, Nov. 27, 1:00 PMMemphis Grizzlies, Dec. 01, 7:30 PMOrlando Magic, Dec. 03, 7:30 PMDenver Nuggets, Dec. 12, 12:00 PMDetroit Pistons, Dec. 15, 8PMUtah Jazz, Dec. 19, 3PMDallas Mavericks, Dec. 21, 7:30PMCharlotte Bobcats, Dec. 26, 1PM Manhattan Radio City Christmas Spectacular @ Radio City Music Hall; November 23 thru January 2The Radio City Christmas Spectacular, starring the world-famous Rockettes, returns to Radio City Music Hall, November 23, 2004 thru January 2, 2005 Be a part of this American tradition and enjoy such show-stopping scenes as the "Parade of the Wooden Soldiers", and the majestic "Living Nativity." Also, witness Santa's return to the Music Hall through an exciting 3-D sleigh ride. Expect delays on 5th, 6th and 7th Avenue between 48th Street and 51st Street and on Broadway starting around 2 hours before and after the show. Please arrive early due to new security measures and for parking. Visit thegarden.com site for information on showtimes.: http://www.thegarden.com Manhattan All Access Tour @ Madison Square GardenMadison Square Garden�s� All Access Tour allows fans to get an insider�s view of the inner-workings of The World�s Most Famous Arena�, providing them with little-known information and rarely seen viewpoints on the legendary showplace. Visitors taking part in the �All Access� one hour tour become a part of one of the busiest and most exciting sports and entertainment facilities in the world and are treated to a host of unique experiences. Visit the Knicks, Rangers and Liberty locker rooms; tour backstage of the Theater at Madison Square Garden; go inside the Star dressing rooms; learn how a basketball court becomes a sheet of ice; witness all the seldom seen build-up to a live event � players practicing, performers in production, casts in rehearsal or crews staging events! You�ll never know what you�ll see on the All Access Tour. Expect some extra traffic on 7th Ave., 8th Ave., and in the west 30s Business News: http://web1.nypost.com/business/business.htm : http://www.nypost.com/business/36420.htm TOMMY TUNES UP By RICHARD WILNER Embattled Tommy Hilfiger Corp., desperate to acquire an upscale brand to help re-ignite its growth engine, will buy designer Karl Lagerfeld's small business and roll it out to upscale departments across the country and the globe. The all-cash acquisition ends a two-year stretch in which Hilfiger kicked the tires of many brands � upscale and not � in search of the right business to turn around a sagging Hilfiger operation. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. TRUMP SHAREHOLDER WANTS BETTER DEAL: http://www.nypost.com/business/36421.htm By PAUL THARP One of Donald Trump's casino investors is raising a new stink about being shortchanged in a makeover deal for Trump's Atlantic City gaming assets. HOW THE GOVERNMENT PULLS THE WOOL OVER YOUR EYES: http://www.nypost.com/business/36394.htm By JOHN CRUDELE CONSUMERS can be forgiven if they haven't noticed that today's clothes dryers offer more bang for the buck than they did a few years ago. They'll still dry your towels, but the government thinks you are enjoying the machines more. NYC LAW BONUSES DOUBLE: http://www.nypost.com/business/36412.htm New York law firms such as Simpson Thacher & Bartlett and Sullivan & Cromwell are doubling the annual bonuses paid to some associates after a surge in revenue from advising companies on mergers and acquisitions. AGENCIES READY FOR ARMY AD BATTLE: http://www.nypost.com/business/36423.htm By HOLLY M. SANDERS The ad agency that wins the battle for the U.S. Army's whopping $200 million account faces an even tougher campaign: selling recruits on military life. HIP-HOP FLOPS: http://www.nypost.com/business/36401.htm By SUZANNE KAPNER A shakeout is afoot in the world of urban apparel, as sales of once red-hot labels begin to cool, analysts and industry executives said. WARNER GIVES NEW PEEK AT NUMBERS: http://www.nypost.com/business/36409.htm By TIM ARANGO Warner Music continued its march toward an initial public offering, reporting that its turnaround plan is ahead of schedule even as it showed very little revenue growth. UNITED'S CEO TAKES A HEFTY 11% PAY CUT: http://www.nypost.com/business/36419.htm CHICAGO � United Airlines took a first step toward achieving the additional labor savings it seeks in bankruptcy, imposing wage reductions on its 8,500 nonunion employees that include an 11 percent pay cut for CEO Glenn Tilton and other top executives. SONY BID COULD'VE SAVED DISNEY $: http://www.nypost.com/business/36425.htm By HOLLY M. SANDERS A former Walt Disney Co. director testified that CEO Michael Eisner hoped that Sony Corp. would take Michael Ovitz off his hands and save Disney a "bundle" in severance pay. INSIDER CHARGE FOR EX-SG COWEN EXEC: http://www.nypost.com/business/36424.htm A former managing director of Societe Generale's SG Cowen was charged yesterday with using inside information on private stock deals he was involved in to short-sell shares for a quick profit. I.D. THEFT IRKS WEB SHOPPERS: http://www.nypost.com/business/36414.htm SAN FRANCISCO � While holiday shoppers are purchasing more presents on the Internet, fears of identity theft and online fraud are making them more careful about using the Web, analysts said yesterday. ORACLE'S $10.3B BID TOPPLES PEOPLESOFT: http://www.nypost.com/business/36418.htm PeopleSoft Inc. capitulated to Oracle Corp., accepting a sweetened $10.3 billion takeover offer to end an 18-month battle that pitted PeopleSoft against its investors and led to the ouster of its chief executive. M&A NEWS BOOSTS MARTS, '05 HOPES: http://www.nypost.com/business/36426.htm By PAUL THARP Wall Street is taking a big bite of its Christmas-rally pie � sweetened by hopes of a new year flush with merger and acquisition activity. Real Estate: http://web1.nypost.com/realestate/index.htm NEW SCHOOL SEES FIFTH AVE. GROWTH: http://www.nypost.com/realestate/36415.htm By STEVE CUOZZO ONE of the year's larg est office building leases was just signed not by a law firm or bank, but by New School University, which took a whopping 194,300 square feet at 79 Fifth Ave. for offices and classrooms. Entertainment: http://web1.nypost.com/entertainment/entertainment.htm ON THE ROPES: http://www.nypost.com/entertainment/36440.htm By FARRAH WEINSTEIN ONE hour in the ring with Hector Roca and I learned more there than in four years of boxing at other gyms. GLAM SHAM: http://www.nypost.com/entertainment/36435.htm By DEBRA BIRNBAUM YOU just can't throw an awards show without Nicole Kidman. So what if her movie bombed - with critics and audiences? With star-colored glasses firmly in place, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association - which announced its Golden Globe nominations yesterday - made sure Chanel shiller Nicole got a nod for her roundly panned pedophilia movie, "Birth." LONGORIA IS THE LEFT-OFF HOUSEWIFE: http://www.nypost.com/entertainment/36436.htm By MICHAEL STARR ABC's "Desperate Housewives" are a little happier today - except for Eva Longoria. NOT ALL 'PIECES' CREATED EQUAL: http://www.nypost.com/entertainment/36438.htm By FRANK SCHECK THOSE of us not blessed with the gift of physical perfection may not find much to relate to in this collection of monologues by a dozen gorgeous women about the burdens of their looks. PAMELA GETS A SITCOM: http://www.nypost.com/entertainment/36406.htm PAMELA Anderson will star in a Fox sitcom about a woman who's trying to change her life and break her habit of falling for less-than-responsible men. GIMME THAT AULD-TIME ROCK 'N' ROLL: http://www.nypost.com/entertainment/36413.htm By MICHAEL STARR DICK Clark, who's recovering from a minor stroke, won't host ABC's New Year's Eve telecast this year. BEAST OF BIRD-EN: http://www.nypost.com/entertainment/36441.htm By ADAM BUCKMAN BLAME it on the super. This documentary on the infamous Fifth Avenue hawk would never have existed if the people whose job it is to maintain the ritzy co-op at 927 Fifth had bothered to look up at their building's fa�ade once in awhile. NO NUDES MADE IT TO OLY OPENING: http://www.nypost.com/entertainment/36403.htm By DON KAPLAN THE FCC is apparently looking to see if shots of a dozen or so nearly nude dancers who performed at the opening ceremonies of last summer's Olympic Games made it on the air. But NBC insists that none of the racier aspects of the first-night show were broadcast. 'WILD' SUPER HALFTIME SHOW: http://www.nypost.com/entertainment/36416.htm THE makers of "Girls Gone Wild" will air a pay-per-view special during this year's Super Bowl halftime show that promises "guaranteed wardrobe malfunctions." IN SPIRIT: http://www.nypost.com/entertainment/36443.htm By LINDA STASI With the bazillions of bad takes on Charles Dicken's "A Christmas Carol" that have been written, I expect that Dickens' own ghost must be spinning in his grave. THE STARR REPORT: http://www.nypost.com/entertainment/36398.htm By MICHAEL STARR Carmen Electra will stop by ABC's "Hope & Faith" for an episode co-starring Mark Consuelos, real-life husband of "Hope" co-star Kelly Ripa. Movie Reviews: http://web1.nypost.com/movies/movies.htm FLIRTY DOZEN: http://www.nypost.com/movies/21252.htm By LOU LUMENICK OCEAN'S TWELVE FORGET the plot of "Ocean's Twelve" - you will by the time you leave the theater, if not sooner. This slickly entertaining sequel is all about savoring eye candy - whether it's the 100-megawatt smiles of George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts and "Ocean's" newcomer Catherine Zeta-Jones or the eye-popping European locations. LOVE MEANS NEVER GETTING TO SAY SAYONARA: http://www.nypost.com/movies/21241.htm By V.A. MUSETTO DOLLS IN Japan, his homeland, Takeshi Kitano is a major star best know as a standup comic who goes under the name Beat Takeshi and appears in five TV shows a week. GONE FISHIN': http://www.nypost.com/movies/21240.htm By LOU LUMENICK THE LIFE AQUATIC WITH STEVE ZISSOU WES Anderson's "Rush more" boosted his career as well as Bill Murray's, so Anderson wrote a juicy lead part in the in termittently brilliant, intermittently hilarious � and occasionally tedious � "The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou." SHWAAS: http://www.nypost.com/movies/21297.htm By V.A. MUSETTO 'SHWAAS," India's entry for the 2004 foreign-language Oscar, is a tearjerker about a 7-year-old farm boy with a rare eye cancer. Surgery can save his life, but it will leave him sightless. STRAIGHT-JACKET: http://www.nypost.com/movies/21238.htm By V.A. MUSETTO IF Rock Hudson wasn't long dead, "Straight-Jacket" might do the trick. CRUISING ALONG, PRETTY AS A 'PICTURE': http://www.nypost.com/movies/21296.htm By V.A. MUSETTO A TALKING PICTURE TOMORROW is Portuguese filmmaker Manoel de Oli veira's 96th (yes, 96th) birthday, but it's his fans who are getting a gift. Lifestyle: http://web1.nypost.com/living/living.htm PERFECT GIFTS: http://www.nypost.com/living/36186.htm By JULIA SZABO When selecting holiday gifts for Fido and Fluffy, try to think of what your pet wants most. Hint: costumes, jingle-bell collars, and reindeer antlers won't cut it. ASK DR. MICHAEL FOX: http://www.nypost.com/living/36217.htm DEAR DR. FOX: I've heard that peanuts can be poisonous to squirrels. However, there are peanuts in the birdseed that I put out in my yard, and squirrels (in addition to my two dogs) sometimes eat them. Please advise. -D.L., Flint, Mich. PUT THROUGH THE 'RING'-ER: http://www.nypost.com/living/36243.htm By MICHAEL KANE "We forgot the taste of bread, the sound of trees, the softness of the wind . . . we even forgot our own name." Lottery Results: http://web1.nypost.com/lottery/lottery.htm NEW YORK Midday Numbers Mon.: 743 Midday Win-4 Mon.: 5078 Evening Numbers Mon.: 835 Evening Win-4 Mon.: 9029 Pick-10 Mon.: 1, 3, 14, 15, 16, 18, 21, 35, 42, 43, 49, 50, 58, 60, 61, 65, 68, 74, 75, 78 Take-5 Mon.: 18, 19, 21, 25, 31 OAS_AD('Middle'); //--> NEW JERSEY Pick-3 Mon.: 792; Pick-4 Mon.: 5935 Cash-5 Mon.: 4, 11, 16, 26, 37 Pick-6 Mon.: 1, 14, 15, 22, 44, 47 CONNECTICUT Play-3 Mon.: 776; Play-4 Mon.: 1112 Cash-5 Mon.: 1, 4, 21, 29, 30 Travel: http://web1.nypost.com/travel/travel.htm BURIED TREASURE: 5 MONEY-SAVING TIPS: http://www.nypost.com/travel/36428.htm Stay at the Comfort Suites Paradise Island, across the road from the porte cochere of the Coral Towers. You'll pay a fraction of the Royal Towers' price (from $240 rack rate; even less via travel agent packages) and you'll get wristbands granting you full use of Atlantis' facilities. PARADISE FOUND: GO BEYOND THE GROUNDS: http://www.nypost.com/travel/36429.htm Nassau, newly rejuvenated, isn't yet knee-deep in tourist attractions. But there are plenty of fun things to do outside the insular world of Atlantis. Here, five of the best. STAY A WHILE: http://www.nypost.com/travel/36430.htm Say "hasta luego" to mega-resorts and hello to the unique hotels of the Yucatan peninsula OUT OF THE ZONE: http://www.nypost.com/travel/36431.htm This year, break free from Cancun's Zona Hotelera. LISA KEYS discovers 5 wild getaways in the real Mexico EXPRESS CHECK-IN: http://www.nypost.com/travel/36432.htm ANYONE who's anyone has been out and about in town these past few weeks, thanks to a blitz of big-name premieres, DVD releases and just plain old parties. SHOP, SHOP AND AWAY: http://www.nypost.com/travel/36433.htm SOMETIMES, it's tough shopping in New York, and now is one of those times. Seemingly, all of western Europe and most of America has descended upon Manhattan, leaving most of our temples to consumerism jammed beyond belief. One great solution - grab your platinum and get out of Dodge. Here, four great places for a weekend of gift buying. NYP TRAVEL SKI REPORT: http://www.nypost.com/travel/36434.htm Opinion: http://web1.nypost.com/postopinion/opedcolumnists/opedcolumnists.htm WHAT GOTHAM LOST: http://www.nypost.com/postopinion/opedcolumnists/36395.htm By JOHN PODHORETZ HAVE you ever felt nostal gic for a time before you were born? Watching Billy Crystal's stunningly sophisticated, powerfully heartfelt and altogether wonderful stage memoir, "700 Sundays," I experienced that intensely familiar rush of sentimental feeling about a New York City that this native New Yorker never even got the chance to know. INTEL MONEY PIT: http://www.nypost.com/postopinion/opedcolumnists/36396.htm By RALPH PETERS HAVING worked in in telligence for more than two decades, I was fascinated by all the lying as Congress wrestled with intelligence reform. So much of the intel world is hidden from the taxpayer's view that unscrupulous politicians, cynical bureaucrats and defense contractors can make any wild claims they wish with little fear of exposure. RUNNING N.Y. ON . . .VICE: http://www.nypost.com/postopinion/opedcolumnists/36399.htm By NICOLE GELINAS JENNY and Elise Paulino were arrested last week, accused of running a prostitution ring from their East Side apartment. But maybe prosecutors should go easy on these alleged purveyors of "American Beauties." Every year, New York state pols slouch a bit closer toward viewing the Paulino sisters not as common criminals, but as sources of stable government revenues. SOCIAL SECURITY'S TOUGH TRANSITION: http://www.nypost.com/postopinion/opedcolumnists/36402.htm By MICHAEL TANNER SOCIAL Security touches most Americans. Nearly 80 percent of U.S. families pay more in Social Security payroll taxes than federal income taxes. At the same time, more than half of seniors receive a majority of their retirement income from Social Security. Celebrity Photos: http://web1.nypost.com/gossip/celebp/index.htm : http://www.nypost.com/gossip/celebp/12052004/photo01.htm December 6th:'Million Dollar Baby Premiere...: http://www.nypost.com/gossip/celebp/12052004/photo01.htm Movie News: http://web1.nypost.com/entertainment/movies/news/news.htm Kit Bowen's Weekly Role Call, Dec. 10 Kit Bowen -- Hollywood.com Staff Stiller creates big Thunder DreamWorks has signed a three-year renewal on their first-look deal with Red Hour partners Ben Stiller and Stuart Cornfeld, beginning with Tropic Thunder, a project Stiller could potentially direct and star in. Style: http://web1.nypost.com/style/style.htm RINGS & WREATHS DON'T MIX: http://www.nypost.com/style/36377.htm Now through Valentine's Day is the most popular time for men to propose. But the relationship experts we talked to said Christmas Day can be a terrible time to pop the question. To modify your account settings go to: http://www.nypost.com/useradmin/useradmin.htm To unsubscribe, go to: http://www.nypost.com/newsletter/unsubscribe.htm
