Skirvin Crying Baby No Longer Plaguing Knicks Season

NEW YORK (Profile Facts) – The Knicks are second in the Atlantic division. But a year ago, the Knicks were battling a losing season that had virtually everything going wrong from them, even claims that they couldn’t sleep because of the Skirvin crying baby ghost in their room.

Just one year ago this week, the Knicks were deep in a season that had few things going well, a season that ended with a 29-53 record. In fact, the Knicks had had a losing record three seasons before that. In 2007, the team barely won 23 games. But now as we enter January, the team has already won 18 games and is second in the Atlantic standings behind Boston.

But back in January 2010, the team even blamed ghosts on their losing records, the most notable being the Skirvin crying baby and his mother. That month, the team were set to battle the Oklahoma City Thunder. So they stayed at the Skirvin Hilton, a hotel long noted for alleged paranormal activity.

In the 1930s, a woman jumped to her death at the Skirvin Hotel while holding her baby in her arms, claims legend. Eddy Curry told the news at the time that he stayed on the 10th Floor the night before his Thunder game. That’s the same floor the woman alleged jumped with her crying baby. Curry said he had to switch to Nate Robinson’s room because he couldn’t sleep. Other players say they couldn’t sleep that night and heard ghosts like the baby all night long.

One NBA player told the New York Daily News at the time “I definitely believe it … The place is haunted. It’s scary.”

But the ghosts are gone (for now) and the Knicks are dominating this season overall. Even though they are poor on rebounds, they are 12th in the league overall in assists per game and second overall in scoring. Amare Stoudemire is leading the team with 26.4 points, nine rebounds, and two blocks per game.

(source:lalate.com)

New year in New York

NEW YORK, Dec. 29, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Nothing says "Happy New Year!" like celebrating New Year's Eve in New York City. From a Times Square gala and a rooftop revel overlooking Manhattan's skyline to a jazz-enhanced Epicurean spread, these six New Year's Eve events at 10 locations present a plethora of options at a wide range of prices, $45 to $750 per person.

230 FIFTH, Zagat's number one rated nightlife venue for 2010/2011 and New York's largest rooftop garden and penthouse lounge with spectacular 360-degree views of the city, offers several packages for taking New Year's to new heights - from $150 for open bar and hors d'oeuvre to $750 per person for window-seating, additional food and drink selections and a bottle of Dom Perignon Rose. All packages convey title to creative footwork on two indoor dance floors and red hooded robes (blankets, too!) for outdoor rooftop reveling under high-powered heaters. 230 FIFTH, Fifth Avenue at 27th Street, 212-246-1000. http://www.230-fifth.com

Overlooking Times Square from the Crowne Plaza Times Square's second floor, Brasserie 1605 fields an intimate bash with all the trimmings - five-course feast, traditional New Year's Eve paraphernalia, open bar and dancing for $250 per person. Celebrants will dine on the likes of Seared Duck Breast and Foie Gras Medallion, Forbidden Rice Pilaf, Celery Root Puree and Pomegranate Reduction and have access to sidewalk viewing of the ball drop. Brasserie 1605, 1605 Broadway, 212-315-6000. http://www.cpmanhattantimessquare.com/brasserie-1605.html

An urbane outing will be provided by Fiorini, "one of Midtown's few well-kept secrets," according to Zagat. Redolent of old world charm, it is a sophisticated setting for a Champagne toast to 2011 after savoring a four-course Italian feast with choices like Filet Mignon, Black Truffles and Barolo Red Wine Sauce and Halibut with Toasted Almonds, Prosecco and Tarragon. Sensibly priced at $82, DJ entertainment and all the requisite accoutrements included. Fiorini, 206 E. 56th, 212-308-0830. http://www.fiorinirestaurant.com

Belgian boite Petite Abeille presents a festive three-course dinner for just $45, with Roasted Guinea Hen Braised Leg, Potato Rosti and Truffled Natural Jus, complemented by tasty amuses bouches and a celebratory cocktail, at all four locations. The modestly priced regular menu will also be available, while the city's largest selection of Belgian beers will provide plenty of bubbly, in addition to the wine list's sparklers. Petite Abeille buzzes at: 401 E. 20th Street, 212-727-1505; 466 Hudson Street, 212-741-6479; 44 West 17th, 212-727-2989; and 134 West Broadway, 212-791-1360. http://www.petiteabeille.com

Traffic Bar & Restaurant shifts into high New Year's gear with endless beverages from the Midtown hot spot's two bars, complemented by a tasty array of passed hors d'oeuvre - the likes of Cilantro Grilled Shrimp with Mango Vinaigrette, Chicken Satay with Thai Peanut Sauce and Traffic's signature Mini-Burger Sliders adorned by Housemade Aioli. When not focused on the consequent finger-licking, celebrants can keep tabs on all the New Year's Eve festivities broadcasts on 23 televisions. $90 per person at Traffic, 986 Second Avenue, 212-813-2595. http://www.trafficbarnyc.com

At Pera Mediterranean Brasserie the infectious rhythms of the Lapis Luna Jazz Band will accompany several scenarios, sipping $10 Champagne cocktails in Pera's stylish bar and dining from Pera's a la carte menu, among them. A $65 three-course offering, featuring such dishes as Veal Osso Buco, Classic Gremolata, Ratatouille and Feta Lasagna, is another, as are two multi-choice, four-course presentations for Mediterranean food connoisseurs - one vegetarian with a Homemade Pappardelle with Seasonal Mushrooms, Baby Rocket Pesto and Parmigiano main course, one not - in the dining room at $110 and $140. Pera, 303 Madison Avenue, 212-878-6301. http://www.peranyc.com

Blizzard Warning Issued For New York: Snow, Everywhere!

Yay! It's snowing! Oh, wait. It's really snowing: "The National Weather Service has issued a Blizzard Warning for New York City from 6:00 AM [Sunday] through 6:00 PM Monday," the Office of Emergency Management tweeted today. "The current forecast calls for 11-16 inches of snow accompanied by strong winds. With visibility expected to be near zero at times." Plus, flights are canceled, and now holiday travelers are forced to sit at airports and talk to their families and play Gameboy. #Snowpocalypse is even a Twitter trending topic. So from a safe indoor place, we think the snow is pretty (send pics to intel@nymag.com!), but the news says it's also scary:

Thousands of flights have been canceled today. (Amtrak between New York and Boston is down, too.)

Travel misery began a day earlier in parts of the South, where a rare white Christmas came with reports of dozens of car crashes ... Airlines grounded hundreds of flights Sunday along the Northeast corridor in anticipation of the storm. New York City-area airports alone canceled close to 1,000 flights. The Northeast is expected to get the brunt of the storm ... [But] a blizzard warning was also in effect for Rhode Island and most of eastern Massachusetts including Boston, with forecasters predicting 15 to 20 inches of snow. A blizzard warning is issued when snow is accompanied by sustained winds or gusts over 35 mph.

Football games have been canceled as well:

Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter said the weather emergency will begin at 2 p.m. as the arriving storm is expected to dump up to 14 inches of snow in the region. "Shoppers, travelers and city residents, take advantage of an early start because [the storm] is coming in a short time," Nutter said during a Sunday morning press conference outside city hall. "When it comes it will hit very hard."

Meanwhile, the NFL announced that a game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Philadelphia Eagles - originally scheduled for Sunday night - had been postponed until 8:20 p.m. Tuesday.

But when the restaurants in New York stop delivering (never), we'll really start freaking out.

(source:nymag.com)