newyorkpost--2020-02-23--Celtics legend Bill Russell wears Kobe Bryant jersey to Lakers-Celtics game

On this day , nobody could blame Bill Russell for wearing a Lakers jersey .
The Celtics legend paid tribute to Kobe Bryant during Sunday ’ s Lakers-Celtics game in Los Angeles by wearing Bryant ’ s No .
24 jersey .
Even though the Lakers are old rivals of Boston , Russell was compelled to honor Bryant a day before Staples Center is set to host a memorial service for Kobe and Gianna Bryant , who died on Jan. 26 in a helicopter crash .
“ @ STAPLESCenter # Celtics vs Lakers I see everyone tweeting I am wearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anything to honor # KobeAndGianna , ” the 86-year-old Russell wrote on Twitter .
“ I am always a @ celtics We had a deeper connection 2+4 does = 6 .
We had much Love & respect for one another !
@ NBA # MambaForever # MambaMentality.
” The Lakers appreciated Russell ’ s tribute , sharing a photo of Russell wearing the jersey on Twitter with the caption , “ Respect from the greatest of rivals .
Thank you , GOAT.
” Monday ’ s memorial is scheduled for 1 p.m .
@ @

On this day, nobody could blame Bill Russell for wearing a Lakers jersey.
The Celtics legend paid tribute to Kobe Bryant during Sunday’s Lakers-Celtics game in Los Angeles by wearing Bryant’s No. 24 jersey. Even though the Lakers are old rivals of Boston, Russell was compelled to honor Bryant a day before Staples Center is set to host a memorial service for Kobe and Gianna Bryant, who died on Jan. 26 in a helicopter crash.
“@STAPLESCenter #Celtics vs Lakers I see everyone tweeting I am wearing @Lakers jersey. I would do anything to honor #KobeAndGianna,” the 86-year-old Russell wrote on Twitter. “I am always a @celtics We had a deeper connection 2+4 does = 6. We had much Love & respect for one another! @NBA #MambaForever #MambaMentality.”
The Lakers appreciated Russell’s tribute, sharing a photo of Russell wearing the jersey on Twitter with the caption, “Respect from the greatest of rivals. Thank you, GOAT.”
Monday’s memorial is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET.


newyorkpost--2020-02-23--Israeli fire kills Palestinian trying to plant bomb at Gaza border: Israeli military

GAZA — Israeli forces killed a Palestinian trying to plant explosives near Israel ’ s border security fence with the Gaza Strip on Sunday , the Israeli military said .
The Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad said the man was one of its members , but it did not disclose what he was doing in the area .
In a statement , the Israeli military said soldiers opened fire at two Palestinians placing an explosive device next to the fence in the Hamas Islamist-run enclave .
It said one of the men was killed and a military bulldozer removed his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two other Palestinians were wounded by Israeli gunfire directed at a group of people who had approached the area and tried to recover the body .
Video footage shot by a Gaza photographer and posted on social media showed what appeared to be a lifeless figure dangling from the mechanical arm of the bulldozer , which was escorted by an Israeli tank .
The images caused an uproar in Gaza , with many on social media calling for retaliation .
The Palestinian Foreign Ministry condemned “ the brutal abuse of the body and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day , the militant group Islamic Jihad fired a barrage of rockets from Gaza into Israel , setting off sirens and sending residents of southern Israel running for shelters .
Some of the rocket fire was intercepted by missile defenses and there were no reports of any Israelis injured .
Israel ’ s military then said it carried out strikes against Islamic Jihad targets , including a rocket-launching squad .
Four people were wounded , according to officials in Gaza .

GAZA — Israeli forces killed a Palestinian trying to plant explosives near Israel’s border security fence with the Gaza Strip on Sunday, the Israeli military said.
The Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad said the man was one of its members, but it did not disclose what he was doing in the area.
In a statement, the Israeli military said soldiers opened fire at two Palestinians placing an explosive device next to the fence in the Hamas Islamist-run enclave.
It said one of the men was killed and a military bulldozer removed his body.
Witnesses and health officials said two other Palestinians were wounded by Israeli gunfire directed at a group of people who had approached the area and tried to recover the body.
Video footage shot by a Gaza photographer and posted on social media showed what appeared to be a lifeless figure dangling from the mechanical arm of the bulldozer, which was escorted by an Israeli tank.
The images caused an uproar in Gaza, with many on social media calling for retaliation. The Palestinian Foreign Ministry condemned “the brutal abuse of the body and its abduction”.
Later in the day, the militant group Islamic Jihad fired a barrage of rockets from Gaza into Israel, setting off sirens and sending residents of southern Israel running for shelters. Some of the rocket fire was intercepted by missile defenses and there were no reports of any Israelis injured.
Israel’s military then said it carried out strikes against Islamic Jihad targets, including a rocket-launching squad. Four people were wounded, according to officials in Gaza.


newyorkpost--2020-02-23--Lindsey Graham explains what he wants answered about Trump-Russia probe

The Justice Department ’ s chief watchdog on Monday said probers found ...

Sen. Lindsey Graham, the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, on Sunday revealed the questions his panel wants answered about why the FBI launched an investigation into former Trump campaign adviser Carter Page.
“Now, I want to know, what did McCabe and Comey know, when did they know that the dossier was unreliable?” Graham (R-SC) said in an interview on Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures.”
He was referring to former FBI Director James Comey, former acting Director Andrew McCabe and a dossier compiled by one-time British spy Christopher Steele.
Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz in December released a report on the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act that was used by the FBI to monitor Page — an action that led to the launch of the agency’s investigation into Russian meddling.
Horowitz’s report showed that the FBI and the Justice Department heavily relied on Steele’s dossier, which contained a series of unsubstantiated claims about President Trump and Russia.
Graham, noting that a primary source for Steele told the FBI that the information in the dossier wasn’t credible, expressed skepticism that the allegations failed to reach the highest levels of the FBI.
“I find it hard to believe that that did not work its way up to Comey and McCabe,” Graham said.
He went on to say he wants to begin the probe by having the four people who met with Steele’s source to testify before his committee.
Graham also said he’s curious to know who else knew about the dossier not being credible, including former acting Attorney General Rod Rosenstein.
“Did Rosenstein know that the dossier had been debunked by the time he signed the warrant? How could he not know?” Graham asked.
Rosenstein supervised then-special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russia after then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions recused himself from the probe.
Following Trump’s firing of Comey in May 2017, Rosenstein appointed Mueller special counsel.
“Here’s my question to Rosenstein: if you knew then what you know now, that it was a bunch of garbage, would you have appointed Mueller?” Graham said.
He didn’t specify when he would call the witnesses to testify as the committee begins hearings this week.


newyorkpost--2020-02-23--Giorgio Armani stages Milan Fashion Week show in empty room amid coronavirus

A buzzer-beater and a blowout .
This was a get-well week ...

They’re panicking like it’s going out of style.
Famed Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani staged his Milan Fashion Week show without an audience — opting instead to stream footage of his clothed catwalkers online — as fears over the coronavirus raged Sunday.
The legendary designer’s firm said he canceled his 4 p.m. show and instead decided to tout his new line of threads by way of the internet in order to keep guests safe, after more than 130 cases of the virus were reported in northern Italy.
“The show will be shown behind closed doors, due to the recent developments of coronavirus in Italy, live-streamed in front of an empty teatro [theater] on the Armani website, therefore please do not attend the show this afternoon,” Armani’s fashion house said in a statement earlier Sunday. “The decision was taken to safeguard the well-being of all his invited guests by not having them attend crowded spaces.”
The decision came as dozens of coronavirus-infected people in the area were reported over the weekend. More than 54 cases have popped up near Milan.
It’s the first time that the 45-year-old Armani fashion house has cancelled a show due to public-health concerns.


newyorkpost--2020-02-23--Seton Hall blows by St. John’s with daunting Big East finish ahead

A buzzer-beater and a blowout .
This was a get-well week for Seton Hall , which responded to a mini-slump with a two badly needed victories .
It started with Wednesday ’ s exhilarating victory over No .
21 Butler on Sandro Mamukelashvili ’ s basket at the horn .
It continued Sunday with a rare wire-to-wire win , a thorough 81-65 beating of St. John ’ s at Prudential Center .
Now comes the tough part : Three games against ranked teams , two of which are on the road , as the 16th-ranked Pirates , having reached at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ season , look to win their first Big East regular-season crown since 1993 .
Seton Hall ’ s widest margin of victory since a 16-point win over Georgetown on Jan. 3 wasn ’ t flawless as it remained a game ahead of Creighton and Villanova — two of its final three opponents — atop the league .
Star senior ’ s Myles Powell ’ s shooting woes continued — he made just 6 of 18 shots , though he did add five rebounds and four assists — and the Pirates ( 20-7 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second-chance points .
But they were far better than they have been at the start , leading by double figures early on .
Their defense was strong , and they handled the Johnnies ’ pressure , which had created so much trouble for them in the first meeting between the two locals .
As in the win against Butler , there was balanced scoring — Powell led five teammates in double figures with 18 points — selfless play ( 19 assists on 27 field goals ) and an aerial show that included six @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gill had their way in the paint , combining for 28 points and 15 rebounds .
The 6-foot-11 Mamukelashvili was particularly effective handling the St. John ’ s press , creating easy opportunities for his teammates when the guards were forced to give up the ball .
Seton Hall shook off the concerning recent trend of slow starts , racing out to a 16-6 edge just 7:31 in following a Quincy McKnight 3-pointer .
The lead grew to 14 after a Mamukelashvili slam and was 17 when Mamukelashvili scored inside again .
St. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , meanwhile , couldn ’ t throw the ball in the ocean , missing 17 of its first 20 shots from the field .
Unlike the first meeting , when the Red Storm ’ s press led to easy opportunities in transition , St. John ’ s was stuck mostly in the half-court , where Seton Hall ’ s length forced it onto the perimeter .
That ’ s not this shooting-challenged group ’ s strong suit , as the Johnnies shot just 24 percent from the field .
LJ Figueroa led @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Julian Champagnie added 14 points and 11 rebounds .
It was 36-22 at the half , despite Powell shooting just 2 of 9 for five points .
But seven teammates scored , the same balance the Pirates received in the win over Butler .
St. John ’ s came out hot in the second half , scoring the first five points of the stanza .
It got within seven after a Champagnie layup .
But like flicking on a switch , Seton Hall locked back in , ripping off a 17-8 run @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gill alley-oop dunks .
The result was never in doubt the rest of the way .

A buzzer-beater and a blowout. This was a get-well week for Seton Hall.
That mini-slide — three losses in five games following a 10-game winning streak — that could’ve harmed the program’s hopes for a big March run already seems forgotten.
The big week started with Wednesday’s exhilarating victory over No. 21 Butler on Sandro Mamukelashvili’s basket at the horn. It continued Sunday with a rare wire-to-wire win, a thorough 81-65 victory over St. John’s at Prudential Center.
“Individually, they’ve all bounced back,” coach Kevin Willard said after his team reached 20 wins for a fifth consecutive season, making him the first New Jersey Division I coach to do so. “But as a team, I think they’ve really understood what our mentality this time of year has to be.”
Now comes the even tougher part: Three games against ranked teams, two of which are on the road, as the 16th-ranked Pirates look to win their first Big East regular-season crown since 1993. Seton Hall’s widest margin of victory since a 16-point win over Georgetown on Jan. 3 wasn’t flawless as it remained a game ahead of No. 15 Creighton and No. 12 Villanova — two of its final three opponents — atop the league.
Star senior Myles Powell’s shooting woes continued — he made just 6 of 18 shots, though he did add five rebounds and four assists — and the Pirates did allow 16 second-chance points. But they were far better than they have been at the start, leading by double figures early on. Their defense was strong, and they handled the Johnnies’ pressure, which had created so much trouble for them in the first meeting between the locals. The presence of Mamukelashvili, who missed the first game with a fractured right wrist, was particularly significant. He frequently beat the press, creating easy opportunities for himself and his teammates, finishing with 16 points, 10 rebounds and three assists.
“When you have a versatile big man like that, that can put the ball on the ground, shoot, it just makes everything easier,” said Powell, who revealed he has been battling right knee tendinitis the last few weeks, but wouldn’t use it as an excuse for his recent shooting woes.
Like the win against Butler, there was balanced scoring — Powell led five teammates in double figures with 18 points — selfless play (19 assists on 27 made field goals) and an aerial show that included six alley-oops. Mamukelashvili and Romaro Gill had their way in the paint, combining for 28 points and 16 rebounds.
Seton Hall (20-7, 12-3) was sharp from the outset, racing out to a 16-6 edge just 7:31 in, building the kind of lead it has allowed its opponent to create. The lead grew to 14 after a Mamukelashvili slam and was 17 when Mamukelashvili scored inside again. St. John’s (14-13, 3-11), meanwhile, couldn’t throw the ball in the ocean, missing 17 of its first 20 shots from the field and was limited to 33.8 percent shooting overall from the field. Leading scorer LJ Figueroa scored 19 points, but was inefficient, needing 17 shots.
“Being up 14 at half, that was like being up 30, to be honest with you,” Willard said. “It was just a different feeling.”
The feeling this week wasn’t different — it was what most of this season has felt like for the Pirates. Last week, Seton Hall hopes, was an anomaly.
“We needed this week to get back on track,” Mamukelashvili said.
It sets Seton Hall up for a big finish. It visits No. 19 Marquette next Saturday for reigning Big East Player of the Year Markus Howard’s Senior Day. That’s followed by Villanova coming to Newark for Powell’s Senior Day and a trip to Creighton for a showdown that could decide the league crown.
Willard described it as “three monsters,” but also three opportunities for Seton Hall to bolster its already formidable NCAA Tournament résumé. Now the Pirates will enter that daunting stretch with momentum.
“I still don’t feel like we’re at our best and I feel like March is going to be a good month for us,” Powell said. “We’ve still got a lot left in the tank.”


newyorkpost--2020-02-23--US soldier in Iraq helps bust burglars with doorbell camera app

President Trump said Sunday he watched the heavyweight fight between ...

Two men were busted for burglary in Illinois after getting spotted on a doorbell camera app — by a soldier 6,500 miles away in Iraq, according to cops.
US soldier Richard Wharton got an alert on his smartphone app that two strangers were breaking into the garage of his home in suburban Chicago at 2:30 a.m. Friday, Park Ridge police said.
Officers were there in “maybe a couple of minutes, tops,” the force’s Tom Gadomski told NBC Chicago, saying two suspects were arrested nearby.
“That’s how fast it was,” Gadomski told the station.
“Talk about service from Iraq back to Park Ridge, Illinois. That’s pretty impressive.”
Suspects Andres Gutierrez, 23, and Brandon Shaw, 24, had several items from Wharton’s garage as well as items from cars that had been broken into in the area, police said in a statement. They were each charged with three counts of burglary.
As well as marveling at the speed of the arrest, cops were thrilled to help a hero serving the country.
“We just can’t say thank you enough for both serving his country and local community,” Gadomski told WGN9.


newyorkpost--2020-02-23--Trump says he may invite boxers Tyson Fury, Deontay Wilder to White House

President Trump said Sunday he watched the heavyweight fight between Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury and is thinking of inviting @ @ @ @ @ House .
“ That was a great fight , ” Trump told reporters outside the @ @ @ @ @ he left for a trip to India .
“ Two great fighters .
It was @ @ @ @ @ he said of the WBC heavyweight bout Saturday night in Las Vegas , where Fury @ @ @ @ @ round when Wilder ’ s corner threw in the towel .
“ Maybe we have @ @ @ @ @ the White House — I don ’ t know — because that was really a @ @ @ @ @ we ’ ll do that , ” the president said .
Fury , a British @ @ @ @ @ Gypsy King , ” defeated Wilder in the rematch of their December 2019 fight that @ @ @ @ @ draw .

President Trump said Sunday he watched the heavyweight fight between Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury and is thinking of inviting both boxers to the White House.
“That was a great fight,” Trump told reporters outside the White House on Sunday before he left for a trip to India.
“Two great fighters. It was really very exciting,” he said of the WBC heavyweight bout Saturday night in Las Vegas, where Fury defeated Wilder in the seventh round when Wilder’s corner threw in the towel.
“Maybe we have to bring them both to the White House — I don’t know — because that was really a good one. I think we’ll do that,” the president said.
Fury, a British boxer known as “The Gypsy King,” defeated Wilder in the rematch of their December 2019 fight that ended in a controversial split draw.


newyorkpost--2020-02-23--‘Mad’ Mike Hughes fatal rocket crash caught on video

Video posted online shows the exact moment “ Mad ” Mike Hughes ’ homemade rocket came crashing down to earth after a failed launch attempt , killing the self-styled daredevil .
The video , posted to Twitter by Justin Chapman , a freelance journalist who witnessed and recorded the fatal crash , begins by showing the self-made rocket seconds before it takes off from a guide rail attached to a large white truck in Barstow , California .
Dust and sand fill the air as the rocket launches into the sky , and as the ship veers sharply to one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can be seen falling off of the vessel and floating down to earth , surrounded by smoke from the rocket ’ s steam-powered engine .
The camera quickly pans down to the drifting parachute and then back up to the rocket — and follows the doomed craft until it crashes into the California desert while spectators who were watching the event scream .
The launch , which took place Saturday and was meant for a new Science Channel series called “ Homemade Astronauts , ” was supposed to have rocketed Hughes up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TV network said .
“ Our thoughts and prayers go out to Mike Hughes ’ family and friends during this difficult time .
It was always his dream to do this launch , and Science Channel was there to chronicle his journey , ” the TV network said in a statement .
Hughes , who believed the Earth was flat , had previously said his goal was to fly to the edge of outer space and see for himself if the world was round or not .
“ I don ’ t want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for it , ” he said after a March 2018 launch in the Mojave Desert in which he shot his homemade rocket over 1,800 feet into the sky , “ I don ’ t know if the world is flat or round .
”

Video posted online shows the exact moment “Mad” Mike Hughes’ homemade rocket came crashing down to Earth after a failed launch attempt, killing the self-styled daredevil.
The video, posted to Twitter by Justin Chapman, a freelance journalist who witnessed and recorded the fatal crash, begins by showing the self-made rocket seconds before it takes off from a guide rail attached to a large white truck in Barstow, California.
Dust and sand fill the air as the rocket launches into the sky, and as the ship veers sharply to one side, a yellow and purple parachute can be seen falling off the vessel and floating down to Earth, surrounded by smoke from the rocket’s steam-powered engine.
The camera quickly pans down to the drifting parachute and then back up to the rocket — and follows the doomed craft until it crashes into the California desert while spectators who were watching the event scream.
The launch, which took place Saturday and was meant for a new Science Channel series called “Homemade Astronauts,” was supposed to have rocketed Hughes up to 5,000 feet in the air, the TV network said.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to Mike Hughes’ family and friends during this difficult time. It was always his dream to do this launch, and Science Channel was there to chronicle his journey,” the TV network said in a statement.
Hughes, who believed the Earth is flat, had previously said his goal was to fly to the edge of outer space and see for himself if the world is round.
“I don’t want to take anyone else’s word for it,” he said after a March 2018 launch in the Mojave Desert in which he shot his homemade rocket over 1,800 feet into the sky, “I don’t know if the world is flat or round.”


newyorkpost--2020-02-23--Gerrit Cole studying history in quest for long-term Yankees greatness

TAMPA — After using a slider and curveball in his ...

TAMPA — Gerrit Cole is throwing. Not a ball. This is pantomime. In front of his locker. He is doing Roger Clemens — barrel chest out — and then Bob Gibson — the whip-like snap.
He morphs into a righty Steve Carlton, mentioning that during the offseason he had stumbled into a replay of 1983 World Series Game 3 and became as absorbed watching Carlton “pulling through wildy” at the end of his motion as he has been in his first Yankees camp glued to video of Clemens and Gibson and Greg Maddux and Pedro Martinez.
Cole has been hunting what commonality historically elite pitchers share to create durability. Like a detective recalling a favorite cracked case, he speaks of the eureka moments noticing how the greats kept their lead glove hand off their body and in counter-balance to their raised pitching arm — “It is an equal and opposite kind of thing.” He believes that led to better displacement of energy and stress. It has led him to strengthening his core to allow this in his own game while also detailing the hunger for detail Cole has to improve on his passion.
And “passion” is not a random word in that sentence. Get Cole going on the subject of pitching and expect long words in bountiful sentences accentuated by Gibson’s pitching motion. To say Cole loves pitching — everything about pitching — is like saying Romeo loved Juliet; like somehow we need a stronger word than even “love.”
“What have I learned about Gerrit Cole?” Brett Gardner said rhetorically. “He seems next level with preparation and with how he thinks and sees the game.”
Obviously, the most attractive part of Cole’s game is not his brain. He was talented enough to be drafted first overall, blessed enough to deliver fastballs last year harder on average than any starter not named Noah Syndergaard. The talent is why there will be excitement Monday night when Cole makes his Yankees spring debut against the Pirates, who made him the first pick in 2011.
But the Yankees’ comfort in bestowing the largest pitching deal ever ($324 million) and going nine years was about more than Cole’s right arm. They knew he fixated on maximizing his skill and longevity; how divorced he was from just rolling out his talent and hoping for the best. This Yankees camp has only corroborated that. First-year pitching coach Matt Blake says no pitcher has watched more bullpen sessions of others to pick up tips. Cole has quizzed Yankees hitters on their approach against him to better understand the batters’ mindsets. He has devoured the Yankees’ analytics and learned, in particular, about how to use one pitch in a specific area in a different way. It is the only time in a 30-minute interview that Cole does not expound exuberantly on his craft — shhhh, he doesn’t want the secret out to hitters.
“There is no complacency of ‘I have elite stuff and I am going to throw it every fifth day,’ ” Blake said. “It’s as intentional and detail oriented in those five days as anyone in the game.”
Cole’s fervor for information began young. His father, Mark, charted pitches on an Excel spreadsheet when his son was 13 as a way to better manage increases in workload with age. Thus, began an infatuation with optimizing skill that carried Cole through UCLA and the Pirates and found perfect place, perfect time with the Astros.
That word “Astros” is loaded right now because of the sign-stealing scandal mainly centered in 2017 and attempted again in 2018, Cole’s first year (and to which Cole has maintained he had no knowledge). But the organization also was on the frontier of pitch design, usage patterns and ways to improve velocity and break. Cole already was throwing more four-seam fastballs up in the zone in 2017 as diversity to his key sinker. Houston showed Cole data that this was his best pitch, and Cole found that not only to be true in effectiveness, but in providing less wear on his body.
He rose in 2018 and especially 2019 to a class with Jacob deGrom, Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander as the majors’ best starters. For Cole, though, throwing high fastballs was not enough. He delved further into shaping pitches, better understanding what to throw and when and to which zone.
And he had the recipe of athleticism, muscle memory, intellect, curiosity and creativity to amplify his talent. He could repeat his delivery. He could feel when something like his hand placement or landing foot was off. He could self-correct immediately. He could handle reams of video and data. He was tireless when it came to staying ahead of hitters who were going to school on him.
“I think so,” Cole said when asked if he thought he was more curious than most pitchers. “But also I can articulate it. It makes sense to me. Some people this overwhelms them, so it would be smarter for them not to waste their time on it.”
And with that Cole took the most expensive right arm ever — the one he used to imitate Clemens and Gibson — and points to the head he is jamming to get his baseball Ph.D. (Doctor of Pitching).
“I got a lot of stuff going on in here,” Cole said with a chuckle. “So, I need to feed the animal a little bit.”


newyorkpost--2020-02-23--Here’s how much time de Blasio spends hitting the gym before work

For Hizzoner , “ crunch time ” means working on his abs .
Mayor Bill de Blasio kicks off a typical day with roughly two hours in the gym before getting around to running the city at 10:30 a.m. , a Post review of his schedules shows .
Following a 30-minute , cross-borough drive from Gracie Mansion on the Upper East Side to the Park Slope YMCA , the gym rat begins his routine around 8 a.m. , the schedules indicate , stretching and pedaling on a stationary bike while watching TV .
After getting in a good sweat , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to change from his workout attire — a T-shirt and cargo shorts — into his suit , then hits the road again for City Hall , generally clocking in around 10:30 a.m .
The Post analyzed the gym junkie ’ s schedule as laid out in dozens of emails from his NYPD security detail spanning July 2017 through December 2018 , recently disclosed as part of an age-discrimination lawsuit filed by a former member of the team .
The amount of time de Blasio has on his hands to pump iron left one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the mayoralty .
“ I never thought about becoming mayor until I realized how much free time I ’ d have and how healthy I ’ d be with all the exercise I get , ” cracked City Councilman Joe Borelli .
“ I have a fraction of the responsibilities of Mayor de Blasio , and I try to go to the gym , and I do it either before or after I drop my son off at school , ” said the Staten Island Republican , adding that he ’ s typically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ latest .
It helps that Borelli uses a gym a mere block from his son ’ s school , and 5 minutes from his council district office , he said — unlike de Blasio , who is driven by his detail 13 miles to a Park Slope YMCA .
By comparison , former Mayor Michael Bloomberg hit the treadmill at home in the mornings , and late Mayor Ed Koch had already worked out and in the office by the time de Blasio typically leaves Gracie Mansion .
“ He was at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and at his desk at City Hall by 7:30 a.m. , if not earlier , ” said George Arzt , Koch ’ s former press secretary .
“ Sometimes he was the first person in and would actually pick up the ringing phone from a complaining constituent.
” De Blasio , by contrast , often takes time post-workout to replenish with a stop at one of his favorite Park Slope haunts , such as Colson Patisserie or Little Purity Diner , before heading into Manhattan .
Hizzoner got a haircut after hitting the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two-week period in November 2018 — including once on a weekday , which pushed his City Hall arrival back to 11 a.m. for the day , the schedules show .
On Fridays , de Blasio regularly goes to the Y , does his weekly WNYC radio interview at the nearby Park Slope Library — then heads back to Gracie to get a jump on the weekend .
When he does head into the office , de Blasio ’ s daily exercise routine sometimes leaves him so tuckered out that he catches some midday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one occasion in 2017 and another in 2018 , the mayor switched it up by getting in a 3 p.m. weekday workout , the schedules reveal .
A City Hall spokeswoman said that the emails are staffing assignments based on the mayor ’ s projected schedule and do not necessarily reflect how Hizzoner or his detail ultimately spend their days .
She suggested that de Blasio doesn ’ t quite clock two hours a day at the gym because his advance security team gets there ahead of time to prepare for his arrival @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only way that the NYPD timeline detailed in the emails clash with the mayor ’ s official schedule .
In some cases , official schedules show de Blasio making work calls after leaving the gym that aren ’ t detailed in the police emails .
De Blasio ’ s official schedule suggests he stayed an hour longer at the gym than the detail had anticipated .
For instance , on May 21 , 2018 , de Blasio arrived at the Y at 8 a.m. , then got to Manhattan ’ s Hunter High @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a student voter registration event , according to the detail ’ s emails .
But the mayor ’ s official schedule shows him making a work call from the road at 11:30 a.m. , then getting to Hunter at noon .
“ Whether calling Commissioners , conversing with constituents , or emailing staff , the mayor is working for the people of New York City 24/7 , ” said mayoral spokeswoman Olivia Lapeyrolerie .
She added that “ anyone who has seen the mayor at the gym — or anywhere else for that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
”

For Hizzoner, “crunch time” means working on his abs.
Mayor Bill de Blasio kicks off a typical day with roughly two hours in the gym before getting around to running the city at 10:30 a.m., a Post review of his schedules shows.
Following a 30-minute, cross-borough drive from Gracie Mansion on the Upper East Side to the Park Slope YMCA, the gym rat begins his routine around 8 a.m., the schedules indicate, stretching and pedaling on a stationary bike while watching TV.
After getting in a good sweat, de Blasio has a whole half-hour budgeted to change from his workout attire — a T-shirt and cargo shorts — into his suit, then hits the road again for City Hall, generally clocking in around 10:30 a.m.
The Post analyzed the gym junkie’s schedule as laid out in dozens of emails from his NYPD security detail spanning July 2017 through December 2018, recently disclosed as part of an age-discrimination lawsuit filed by a former member of the team.
The amount of time de Blasio has on his hands to pump iron left one city pol plotting his own run for the mayoralty.
“I never thought about becoming mayor until I realized how much free time I’d have and how healthy I’d be with all the exercise I get,” cracked City Councilman Joe Borelli.
“I have a fraction of the responsibilities of Mayor de Blasio, and I try to go to the gym, and I do it either before or after I drop my son off at school,” said the Staten Island Republican, adding that he’s typically wrapped up by 9:30 a.m. at the latest.
It helps that Borelli uses a gym a mere block from his son’s school, and 5 minutes from his council district office, he said — unlike de Blasio, who is driven by his detail 13 miles to a Park Slope YMCA.
By comparison, former Mayor Michael Bloomberg hit the treadmill at home in the mornings, and late Mayor Ed Koch had already worked out and was in the office by the time de Blasio typically leaves Gracie Mansion.
“He was at the gym from 6 a.m. to 7 a.m. and at his desk at City Hall by 7:30 a.m., if not earlier,” said George Arzt, Koch’s former press secretary. “Sometimes he was the first person in and would actually pick up the ringing phone from a complaining constituent.”
De Blasio, by contrast, often takes time post-workout to replenish with a stop at one of his favorite Park Slope haunts, such as Colson Patisserie or Little Purity Diner, before heading into Manhattan.
Hizzoner got a haircut after hitting the gym not once but twice within a two-week period in November 2018 — including once on a weekday, which pushed his City Hall arrival back to 11 a.m. for the day, the schedules show.
On Fridays, de Blasio regularly goes to the Y, does his weekly WNYC radio interview at the nearby Park Slope Library — then heads back to Gracie to get a jump on the weekend.
When he does head into the office, de Blasio’s daily exercise routine sometimes leaves him so tuckered out that he catches some midday Zs on his office couch.
On one occasion in 2017 and another in 2018, the mayor switched it up by getting in a 3 p.m. weekday workout, the schedules reveal.
A City Hall spokeswoman said that the emails are staffing assignments based on the mayor’s projected schedule and do not necessarily reflect how Hizzoner or his detail ultimately spend their days.
She suggested that de Blasio doesn’t quite clock two hours a day at the gym because his advance security team gets there ahead of time to prepare for his arrival.
But that isn’t the only way the NYPD timeline detailed in the emails clashes with the mayor’s official schedule.
In some cases, official schedules show de Blasio making work calls after leaving the gym that aren’t detailed in the police emails.
De Blasio’s official schedule suggests he stayed an hour longer at the gym than the detail had anticipated.
For instance, on May 21, 2018, de Blasio arrived at the Y at 8 a.m., then got to Manhattan’s Hunter High School for Science by 11 a.m. for a student voter registration event, according to the detail’s emails.
But the mayor’s official schedule shows him making a work call from the road at 11:30 a.m., then getting to Hunter at noon.
“Whether calling Commissioners, conversing with constituents, or emailing staff, the mayor is working for the people of New York City 24/7,” said mayoral spokeswoman Olivia Lapeyrolerie.
She added that “anyone who has seen the mayor at the gym — or anywhere else, for that matter — knows his work never ends.”
Additional reporting by Aaron Feis


newyorkpost--2020-02-23--How ‘whisper networks’ can help you leverage negotiating and your career

“ Millennials might feel priced out of an MBA , but they ...

When Lauren McGoodwin, founder and CEO of the career site Career Contessa, got an offer to speak at a conference without being paid a speaking fee, she texted her five-person “whisper network” — a group of professionals who help each other with industry information and learning to grow their respective businesses.
“I was told there was no budget for speakers, but remembered that one of the women had spoken at the same conference the year prior, and it turned out that my friend had received her full speaking rate,” says McGoodwin, who then used that information (without outing her source) to successfully negotiate her fee.
Within the corporate walls of a regulated company, however, Cate Luzio had to form her whisper network a bit differently. As a former banker of 17 years, the more senior her role became, the fewer people there were to lean on for advice, especially when it came to year-end compensation. So, she started a women’s forum for managing directors at her bank. On the surface, it was a women’s club for relationship building, but outside the confines of the company walls, it broke off into smaller private dinners where women shared compensation details and discussed other work-related issues.
Now, as the CEO and founder of Luminary, a collaboration hub for women to develop, connect and network, Luzio hosts free monthly whisper network dinners for members at the Nomad space. Attendees span multiple industries and are curated by seniority. During the dinner, they’ll share work challenges, and are encouraged to ask any taboo question that may be preventing them from succeeding.
Naturally, just like Luzio’s previous women’s forum, it operates under the Chatham House Rule — participants can use information they hear but won’t divulge the source. The three topics that come up consistently: Being passed over for a promotion, compensation and toxic work culture.
Luzio has hosted 15 dinners to date, and they’re booked in a matter of minutes. They can be intense, open and cathartic for some, while other attendees may discover how much work they need to do to overcome their career obstacles.
But not all whisper networks are happening over dinner or even in person. TheLi.st is an online private network for professional women founded by Rachel Sklar and Glynnis MacNicol. Launched in 2012, it started because of the need to combat gender inequity in media representation, but grew beyond that scope quickly.
TheLi.st, which aims “to equalize and correct information asymmetries for members,” is small by design. Its membership is under 500 women, where every member is vetted, either by being invited or through nomination. (Full disclosure: This writer is a member.)
The group communicates in a private Google group and includes major celebrities and lesser-known, yet very connected women in group discussion. The conversations are organized by topic and are wide-ranging and sometimes profoundly raw.
“Everything comes down to the value of information and how much you know,” says Sklar. “TheLi.st has a long trail of people who have gotten more money, better titles and perks because of being a member.”
Beyond these women’s groups, though, is the app Blind, where more than 3.2 million verified professionals communicate anonymously online to break down professional barriers and empower informed decisions.
Launched by Kyum Kim and Sunguk Moon in 2013, Blind has both private company channels and public channels. If you are an employee, your authenticated work e-mail can get you into Amazon’s 53,000 member channel, Microsoft’s 64,700 member channel or Facebook’s 18,700 member channel, to name a few.
Employees are creating radical transparency in these forums, and even Blind’s admins don’t monitor the conversations — only the community managers gain access if posts are flagged as inappropriate. (That said, if you’re in human resources, you are probably also a member of the channel watching from the shadows to see what transpires.) Topics range from compensation, maternity leave, sexual harassment and corporate culture.
Kyum is most proud of the “thank you” posts he sees. One user had two competing offers from Amazon and Apple and used the community to advise him on how to negotiate his deal. “Thanks, Blind!” he e-mailed. “From $50k total comp to $200k total comp! (no degree).”
This tsunami of transparency can feel like an epidemic to employers who are now facing a harsh reality. Peter Rahbar, the founder and CEO of the Rahbar Group, is an attorney specializing in employment law. Representing both individuals and companies, he has seen transparency among employees create havoc at the management level.
“What we have seen at many companies is that employees are frustrated and don’t trust their employers,” he says. “They seek greater transparency from their employers and are not getting it, so they are taking matters into their own hands.”
As one grassroots example, employees are creating shared Google documents with salary, title and even private information about culture and company practices. They also are forming text groups.
“Companies should never have salary practices that leave them afraid of their salaries being disclosed,” says Rahbar, who encourages people to negotiate their compensation using the data to their advantage, but not disclose that they have the data.
Bottom line: The rules have changed, and transparency is the new must-have accessory. Information gathering is happening, and everyone has a voice and the ability to use it. The future of work as we know it might look vastly different than it does today, but one thing is for sure: There has been a power shift, and employers may have to buckle up for safety.


newyorkpost--2020-02-24--Fetching Fido: Pup adorably plays ball with himself

Parker , an energetic dog in Hollywood , Florida , learned how to play fetch all by himself .
Watch @ @ @ @ @ rolls the ball down a set of stairs , grabs it at the bottom and @ @ @ @ @ another go .

Parker, an energetic dog in Hollywood, Florida, learned how to play fetch all by himself. Watch as the sweet pup excitedly rolls the ball down a set of stairs, grabs it at the bottom and immediately runs back up for another go.
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newyorkpost--2020-02-24--Trump vows to boost trade ties, defense equipment sales to India

Support for New York ’ s controversial bail reform is collapsing amid ...

More than 100,000 people on Monday packed the world’s largest cricket stadium in India, where President Trump kicked off his first official visit by vowing to boost trade between the two countries and announcing plans to sign an agreement to sell $3 billion worth of US military helicopters.
The president told the massive crowd at Motera Stadium that he was in India to “expand our partnership of incredible power and potential,” saying that he and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will discuss “strong and fair partnerships to build a safer and more prosperous world.”
Calling Modi a “tremendously successful leader,” Trump said, “I think that the prime minister and I can reach a fantastic deal that is good and even great for our two countries,” CNN reported.
“Except he’s a very tough negotiator,” he added with a chuckle.
“(Under my administration) commerce between our two nations has increased by more than 40 percent,” Trump said.
“India is the United States’ largest export market … A booming America is a great thing for India and the world, which is why we are pleased to announce that we have had the greatest economy ever in the history of the United States.”
Trump said “the US looks forward to providing India with some of the best and most feared military equipment on the planet,” adding that “we make the best, and we’re dealing now with India.”
He said Washington is prepared to supply India with defense equipment, saying the two countries will sign agreements Tuesday for the US “to sell over $3 billion in the absolute finest, state-of-the-art military helicopters and other equipment to the Indian armed forces.”
Reuters earlier reported that India had approved the purchase of 24 choppers from Lockheed Martin worth $2.6 billion.
“I believe the US should be India’s number one defense partner and that’s the way it’s working out,” Trump said during the “Namaste, Trump” (“Welcome, Trump”) rally in Ahmedabad in the western state of Gujarat.
He also said the US and India “are firmly united in our ironclad resolve to defend our citizens from the threat of radical Islamic terrorism,” noting that both countries “have been hurt by the pain and turmoil of terrorism and that that terrorism brings.”
Trump added that ISIS’ self-declared caliphate has been “utterly destroyed,” noting that the terror group’s leader — the “monster” Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi — was killed at the hands of US special forces in a raid in Syria.
Trump hailed his strong border controls. “Every nation has the right to control and secure its borders,” he said. “The United States and India are committed to working together to stop terrorists and fight their ideology.”
“My administration is working in a very positive way with Pakistan to crack down on the terrorists and militant groups that operate on the Pakistan border,” he said. “We are beginning to see signs of big progress.”
In a tweet, Trump later said: “Our two national constitutions both begin with the same three beautiful words: ‘We the people.’ That means that in America and India alike, we honor, respect, trust, empower, and fight for the citizens we proudly serve!”
Trump’s first stop was independence leader Mohandas Gandhi’s home, where the president donned a prayer shawl and removed his shoes before quietly walking through the humble ashram.
He inspected the spinning wheel used by the pacifist and looked at a statue of monkeys representing Gandhi’s mantra of “See no evil, Hear no evil, Speak no evil” before departing for the big event at the cricket stadium.
The president’s whirlwind, 36-hour trip also includes a planned visit to the famed Taj Mahal in Agra.
With Post wires


newyorkpost--2020-02-24--Support for bail reform nosedives in New York, new poll shows

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez says the jury is still out on ...

Support for New York’s controversial bail reform is collapsing amid media reports of defendants being released and committing more crimes, a survey said Monday.
A solid majority of state voters – 59 percent – now say that the elimination of cash bail for most misdemeanor and “non-violent” felony crimes is bad for New York, the Siena College poll found.
Only 33 percent of respondents said the law enacted Jan. 1 is good for New York.
The support nosedived further since a Siena survey last month – when 37 percent said bail reform is good and 49 percent said it was bad.
After the law was approved last April, 55 percent of New Yorkers said bail reform was good and 38 percent said it was bad.
Opposition to the law has increased across the board.
Democrats still favor the law by a narrow 49 percent to 44 percent. But the number of Democrats opposed jumped 10 points from January, when 34 percent said the law is bad.
The number of registered independents or unaffiliated voters who gave bail reform a thumbs down jumped from 56 percent in January to 66 percent in February.
Meanwhile, opposition from Republicans increased from 78 percent to 85 percent.
Resistance has grown among minorities, the strongest backers of bail reform.
Now 44 percent of Latino said bail reform is good and 48 percent said it’s bad. Last month, 49 percent said it’s good and only 30 percent said it’s bad – meaning opposition surged by 18 percentage points.
A majority of African American voters – 53 percent – support bail reform. But opposition increased from 27 percent in January to 40 percent in Monday’s survey.
“Support for the new bail law – which took effect in January after passage as part of the budget last year continues to plummet. In April, New Yorkers thought the new law would be good for the state by 17 points. Last month, voters said the new law is bad for the state by a margin of 12 points. Today, that margin for thinking the law is bad for New York has bulged to 26 points,” Siena pollster Steven Greenberg said.
Former Gov. David Paterson, one of New York’s most prominent black leaders, on Sunday said the bail law has to be tweaked.
“You don’t want people sitting in jail for 18 months because they can’t afford $200 bail, but at the same time, you don’t want anyone coming out on bail who’s a danger to society,” he said. “We want to make sure that if [someone] has a record of being violent, they can’t commit any further crimes before they are tried for the one before the court.”
He said the Democratic-controlled state Assembly needs to bend a little.
“You just need to Assembly members to understand, we’re not killing bail reform, we are taking the parts of it that are already demonstrating that we went too far out of the legislation,” he told host John Catsimatidis on AM 970’s The Cat’s Radio Roundtable on Sunday.
Voters are also evenly divided on the law allowing illegal immigrants to get a New York driver’s license – with 48 percent in support and 48 percent opposed. Democrats, black and Latino voters continue to strongly support it, as independents and white voters oppose it and Republicans strongly oppose the law.
A majority of New Yorkers favor legalizing the recreational use of marijuana with 55 percent in support and 40 percent opposed. Those numbers have been fairly constant over the past year.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the Legislature again will consider legalizing weed after failing to do so last year.


newyorkpost--2020-02-24--Trump receives warm welcome upon arrival in India for two-day trip

President Trump arrived in India Monday morning for his highly-anticipated two-day trip where he hopes to forge a new trade deal with the country .
The president landed at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport , in Ahmedabad , at 11:35 a.m. local time .
Trump and First Lady Melania Trump stepped out of Air Force One and were greeted by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi .
The president and Modi shared a hug before strolling down the red carpet lined with traditional folk dancers .
India plastered billboards along the route to highlight the occasion , including one with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ Two dynamic personalities .
One momentous occasion.
” Thousands of people lined the street , cheering on Trump ’ s motorcade , as it slowly rolled away from the airport .
Some in the crowd waved American and Indian flags .
Trump and Modi briefly stopped at Sabarmati Ashram , which was one of Mahatma Gandhi ’ s residences and now hosts a museum before heading off to Sardar Patel Stadium for a “ Namaste , Trump , ” rally .
Trump ’ s trip to India , his first as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Modi and private tours of the Taj Mahal and other landmarks , the Times of India reported .
The president will be joined by daughter Ivanka Trump , son-in-law Jared Kushner and US Ambassador to India Ken Juster .
The trip is also serious business for Trump , who wants a trade pact with India , which boasts the world ’ s fifth-largest economy .
White House officials said trade between the two countries topped $ 142 billion in 2018 , but “ there ’ s certainly much more room to grow @ @

President Trump arrived in India Monday morning for his highly-anticipated two-day trip where he hopes to forge a new trade deal with the country.
The president landed at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, in Ahmedabad, at 11:35 a.m. local time.
Trump and First Lady Melania Trump stepped out of Air Force One and were greeted by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The president and Modi shared a hug before strolling down the red carpet lined with traditional folk dancers.
India plastered billboards along the route to highlight the occasion, including one with a photo of Trump and Modi that read, “Two dynamic personalities. One momentous occasion.”
Thousands of people lined the street, cheering on Trump’s motorcade, as it slowly rolled away from the airport. Some in the crowd waved American and Indian flags.
Trump and Modi briefly stopped at Sabarmati Ashram, which was one of Mahatma Gandhi’s residences and now hosts a museum before heading off to Sardar Patel Stadium for a “Namaste, Trump,” rally.
Trump’s trip to India, his first as president, also includes a state dinner with Modi and private tours of the Taj Mahal and other landmarks, the Times of India reported.
The president will be joined by daughter Ivanka Trump, son-in-law Jared Kushner and US Ambassador to India Ken Juster.
The trip is also serious business for Trump, who wants a trade pact with India, which boasts the world’s fifth-largest economy.
White House officials said trade between the two countries topped $142 billion in 2018, but “there’s certainly much more room to grow.”


newyorkpost--2020-02-24--Hero in Monsey Hanukkah attack declining $20K reward over Zionism

WEST NYACK , N.Y. — An Orthodox Jewish man credited as a hero for attacking a knife-wielding man who stabbed five people during a Hanukkah celebration north of New York City is refusing to take a $ 20,000 reward from established Jewish groups because he considers them Zionists , according to a rabbi who knows him .
Officials with the Jewish Federation and the Anti-Defamation League told The Journal News that they were caught off guard by Josef Gluck ’ s decision to turn down the reward , the newspaper reported Friday .
“ The reward would have been for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to an arrest , ” said Miriam Allenson , spokesperson for the Jewish Federation & Foundation of Rockland County .
“ That was what was on our minds.
” Allenson said that there were no strings with the money and that the groups had “ no idea ” regarding Gluck ’ s decision to turn away the funds .
The reward presentation event was scheduled for Feb. 6 , but Gluck said he had a family emergency , Allenson said .
Rabbi Dovid Feldman of Monsey said Gluck ’ s decision stems from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and ultra-Orthodox Jews have with organizations like the Jewish Federation and Anti-Defamation League .
Feldman said Gluck was preparing to notify the groups in writing to explain in more detail his reasons for declining the reward .
Rabbi Feldman is a leader of Neturei Karta International .
Its Orthodox Jewish members believe “ the entire concept of a sovereign Jewish state is contrary to Jewish Law.
” “ It was his choice not to accept , ” Allenson said Monday .
“ We ’ re letting it go .
There ’ s nothing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with throwing his body in front of the machete-wielding man and using a wooden table to try and stop the Dec. 28 assault in Monsey , the newspaper reported .
He then lured the attacker outside and documented the attacker ’ s license plate number and alerted police .
Gluck has received several honors for his heroism , including a congressional certificate presented by U.S. Democratic Rep. Nita Lowey , of Harrison , the Town of Ramapo ’ s Freedom Award and a New York State Senate Liberty Medal .
Evan Bernstein , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that while the group is disappointed Gluck decided not to accept the award , it will continue to work closely with the Orthodox Jewish community in Monsey and elsewhere and offer rewards when merited to assist law enforcement in the investigation of hate crimes .
Grafton Thomas , the man accused in the stabbing , pleaded not guilty on multiple hate crime charges .
Investigators found anti-Semitic writings in Thomas ’ s journals and articles on Jews and Nazis on his cell phone , according to a complaint filed by the U.S. Attorney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attorney said last month that a psychiatrist found Thomas incompetent to stand trial .
The attack left five men wounded , including a 72-year-old who remains in a coma with a fractured skull and other injuries .

WEST NYACK, N.Y. — An Orthodox Jewish man credited as a hero for attacking a knife-wielding man who stabbed five people during a Hanukkah celebration north of New York City is refusing to take a $20,000 reward from established Jewish groups because he considers them Zionists, according to a rabbi who knows him.
Officials with the Jewish Federation and the Anti-Defamation League told The Journal News that they were caught off guard by Josef Gluck’s decision to turn down the reward, the newspaper reported Friday.
“The reward would have been for anybody who offered information that would lead to an arrest,” said Miriam Allenson, spokesperson for the Jewish Federation & Foundation of Rockland County. “That was what was on our minds.”
Allenson said that there were no strings with the money and that the groups had “no idea” regarding Gluck’s decision to turn away the funds.
The reward presentation event was scheduled for Feb. 6, but Gluck said he had a family emergency, Allenson said.
Rabbi Dovid Feldman of Monsey said Gluck’s decision stems from the discomfort he and some other Hasidic and ultra-Orthodox Jews have with organizations like the Jewish Federation and Anti-Defamation League. Feldman said Gluck was preparing to notify the groups in writing to explain in more detail his reasons for declining the reward.
Rabbi Feldman is a leader of Neturei Karta International. Its Orthodox Jewish members believe “the entire concept of a sovereign Jewish state is contrary to Jewish Law.”
“It was his choice not to accept,” Allenson said Monday. “We’re letting it go. There’s nothing else to say.”
Gluck is credited with throwing his body in front of the machete-wielding man and using a wooden table to try and stop the Dec. 28 assault in Monsey, the newspaper reported. He then lured the attacker outside and documented the attacker’s license plate number and alerted police.
Gluck has received several honors for his heroism, including a congressional certificate presented by U.S. Democratic Rep. Nita Lowey, of Harrison, the Town of Ramapo’s Freedom Award and a New York State Senate Liberty Medal.
Evan Bernstein, an Anti-Defamation League vice president, said that while the group is disappointed Gluck decided not to accept the award, it will continue to work closely with the Orthodox Jewish community in Monsey and elsewhere and offer rewards when merited to assist law enforcement in the investigation of hate crimes.
Grafton Thomas, the man accused in the stabbing, pleaded not guilty on multiple hate crime charges. Investigators found anti-Semitic writings in Thomas’s journals and articles on Jews and Nazis on his cell phone, according to a complaint filed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Thomas’ defense attorney said last month that a psychiatrist found Thomas incompetent to stand trial.
The attack left five men wounded, including a 72-year-old who remains in a coma with a fractured skull and other injuries.


newyorkpost--2020-02-24--How Yankees’ Luke Voit is trying to put injury issues behind him

PORT CHARLOTTE , Fla. — If not for injuries and a ...

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — After battling core muscle injuries last year when he was limited to 118 games and underwent multiple MRI exams, a visit to a Philadelphia specialist has provided Luke Voit with a concrete reason why his body bothered him during the season and resulted in postseason surgery.
“He told me I tore everything down there,’’ said Voit, who had two injured list stints.
The first was in July when he suffered an abdominal strain in London against the Red Sox. He went back on the shelf later that month and stayed there until late August with a sports hernia. Voit was active but did not play in the ALDS against the Twins and was left off the ALCS roster versus the Astros.
Voit had a bloop single in three at-bats in Sunday’s 9-7 loss to the Rays at Charlotte Sports Park.
Voit, who hit 21 homers and drove in 62 runs a year ago, said he hasn’t felt this good in a long time, that he is far more athletic and has dropped five to 10 pounds.
He didn’t give Gerrit Cole a fight for the No. 45 that Voit wore the previous two seasons, but he didn’t reveal what the pitcher gave him for the swap. Voit switched to No. 59 to honor his brother, John, who wore it while playing football for West Point. John Voit is currently an Army Ranger at Fort Drum in upstate New York preparing to go overseas, according to Luke.
Aaron Boone still doesn’t have an exact date for Aaron Judge’s spring training debut in a game, but there are steps to be taken before the right fielder gets into the lineup.
First comes taking flips, working in the cage, followed by hitting outside.
“We will take it slow because of the calendar,’’ Boone said of it being late February.
In Boone’s mind, Estevan Florial’s medical history the past two years doesn’t mean the center fielder’s glow has dimmed.
“The injuries have been frustrating for him and cut into his development, no question,’’ Boone said of Florial, who went 0-for-3 Sunday. “What hasn’t been lost is he is still a special talent, still a very young man. Still feel he has a chance to be an impact player at the big-league level. It is important for him to go out and have that clean season where he [gets 400] at-bats, stays healthy and the development starts happening. It keeps getting interrupted.’’
Health hasn’t been the 22-year-old Florial’s calling card the past two seasons. He was limited to 84 games two years ago after undergoing hamate bone surgery. Last spring training he ran into the wall in center field and came away with a non-displaced fracture of the right wrist. Florial didn’t return to the field until June 3 and participated in 75 games for Single-A Tampa.
“Everything we have seen … in both spring trainings, you see the dynamic player he is capable of being,’’ Boone said.
The 6-foot-1, 195-pound left-handed hitter is above average defensively, but the strikeouts (484 in 1,507 minor league at-bats with 412 hits) have to decline. Last season, he whiffed 98 times and collected 65 hits. In five minor league seasons, Florial is a .273 hitter with 42 homers, 213 RBIs and a .700 OPS.
Clarke Schmidt — who several Yankees voices believe will be a solid big-league starter, possibly as soon as next year — worked a scoreless inning. The Yankees’ No. 1 pick in the 2017 draft, who missed all of that season due to Tommy John surgery, allowed one hit and a walk in his first ever big-league spring training appearance.
Three Yankee relievers who don’t figure in the big-league plans gave up five earned runs in 2 ²/₃ innings late the game. David Hale, who started seven big-league games last season, was victimized for three runs and four hits in the second inning.


newyorkpost--2020-02-24--20-year-old man survives after driving Jeep off top of six-story parking garage

A 20-year-old man was critically injured when he drove his Jeep off the top level of a six-story parking garage @ @ @ @ @ , police said .
The man ’ s SUV landed across the street from the @ @ @ @ @ , against the outside of a McDonalds , after the 12:10 a.m. plunge off the @ @ @ @ @ Santa Monica Police Department .
The unidentified man was taken to a local hospital in @ @ @ @ @ since stabilized , police said .
Remarkably , when first responders arrived at the scene @ @ @ @ @ ” and “ speaking with officers , ” cops said .
Photos from the scene @ @ @ @ @ leaning against the restaurant after the fall .
The cause of the crash is still @ @ @ @ @ obtained a warrant for a sample of the driver ’ s blood , to test @ @ @ @ @ a factor in the crash .

A 20-year-old man was critically injured when he drove his Jeep off the top level of a six-story parking garage in California early Sunday morning, police said.
The man’s SUV landed across the street from the parking garage in Santa Monica, against the outside of a McDonalds, after the 12:10 a.m. plunge off the structure, according to the Santa Monica Police Department.
The unidentified man was taken to a local hospital in critical condition, but has since stabilized, police said.
Remarkably, when first responders arrived at the scene the driver “was conscious” and “speaking with officers,” cops said.
Photos from the scene show the heavily damaged Jeep leaning against the restaurant after the fall.
The cause of the crash is still being investigated.
Authorities have obtained a warrant for a sample of the driver’s blood, to test if drugs or alcohol were a factor in the crash.


newyorkpost--2020-02-24--Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot could be Nets’ next reclamation project win

The Nets do reclamation projects .
Could a little TLC make Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot the next one ?
D ’ Angelo Russell went from undervalued asset to All-Star , Spencer Dinwiddie from G-League to a Skills title , and Joe Harris from the waiver wire to last year ’ s 3-point champ .
Now they ’ ve challenged Luwawu-Cabarrot to not only live up to his defensive promise , but be a sparkplug off the bench .
And so far he ’ s risen to the challenge .
“ Of course .
They gave me that role and I embrace it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ I love to go out there and compete and play super-hard .
We have a lineup where we really have something to do together.
” There were questions whether Luwawu-Cabarrot could guard at this level when the Nets signed him in October .
It took injuries to others like Kyrie Irving , Caris LeVert and David Nwaba — and work by Luwawu-Cabarrot — to get the French wing a chance .
But he ’ s cashed in on it .
With the Nets 5-2 in their past seven games coming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Luwawu-Cabarrot has the best Defensive Rating ( 96.4 ) of anybody in the rotation over that span .
And in Saturday ’ s rout of Charlotte , he shrugged off first-half foul woes to play stellar second-half defense and finish with a career-high and team-leading 21 points .
“ They were making fun of me for having four fouls at halftime .
But I said if we ’ re winning by 20 or 30 , shoot , I ’ ll foul out , ” said Luwawu-Cabarrot , who like the rest of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ injuries to Irving , LeVert and Nwaba — as well as the season-long absence of Kevin Durant — as an excuse to give up on this season .
“ We want more .
That ’ s what ’ s big here .
We want more than what we have right now , ” Luwawu-Cabarrot said .
“ We ’ re hungry .
We want it , we really really want to compete and prove ourselves and prove a lot of things.
” Losing Irving won ’ t stop the Nets from going small @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and coach Kenny Atkinson has toyed with the 6-foot-8 , 235-pounder as a stretch five late in games since he can guard bigger centers while still spacing the floor .
“ We know the troubles we ’ ve had against teams that put five shooters out there , and we ’ re monitoring what it looks like with Wilson at the five , ” Atkinson said .
“ Heck , you could play [ Rodions Kurucs ] at the five .
You could do a lot of things .
Potentially , if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there ’ s a possibility [ of going small ] .
You have to have things in your back pocket that are a little different .
It ’ s something we could look at more.
” LeVert played for John Beilein at Michigan , and was saddened to see his former coach ’ s ouster in Cleveland .
“ Unfortunate .
That ’ s one of my guys .
Hate to see that happen , ” LeVert said .
“ I don ’ t really know all that happened , so I can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But hate to see something like that especially since he ’ s so passionate about the game .
”

The Nets do reclamation projects. Could a little TLC make Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot the next one?
D’Angelo Russell went from undervalued asset to All-Star, Spencer Dinwiddie from G-League to a Skills title, and Joe Harris from the waiver wire to last year’s 3-point champ.
Now they’ve challenged Luwawu-Cabarrot to not only live up to his defensive promise, but be a sparkplug off the bench. And so far he’s risen to the challenge.
“Of course. They gave me that role and I embrace it: I love it,” Luwawu-Cabarrot said. “I love to go out there and compete and play super-hard. We have a lineup where we really have something to do together.”
There were questions whether Luwawu-Cabarrot could guard at this level when the Nets signed him in October. It took injuries to others like Kyrie Irving, Caris LeVert and David Nwaba — and work by Luwawu-Cabarrot — to get the French wing a chance. But he’s cashed in on it.
With the Nets 5-2 in their past seven games coming into Monday’s Orlando tilt, Luwawu-Cabarrot has the best Defensive Rating (96.4) of anybody in the rotation over that span. And in Saturday’s rout of Charlotte, he shrugged off first-half foul woes to play stellar second-half defense and finish with a career-high and team-leading 21 points.
“They were making fun of me for having four fouls at halftime. But I said if we’re winning by 20 or 30, shoot, I’ll foul out,” said Luwawu-Cabarrot, who like the rest of the Nets has no intention of using the injuries to Irving, LeVert and Nwaba — as well as the season-long absence of Kevin Durant — as an excuse to give up on this season.
“We want more. That’s what’s big here. We want more than what we have right now,” Luwawu-Cabarrot said. “We’re hungry. We want it, we really really want to compete and prove ourselves and prove a lot of things.”
Losing Irving won’t stop the Nets from going small.
Wilson Chandler has been sound defensively, and coach Kenny Atkinson has toyed with the 6-foot-8, 235-pounder as a stretch five late in games since he can guard bigger centers while still spacing the floor.
“We know the troubles we’ve had against teams that put five shooters out there, and we’re monitoring what it looks like with Wilson at the five,” Atkinson said. “Heck, you could play [Rodions Kurucs] at the five. You could do a lot of things. Potentially, if we can get in the playoffs, there’s a possibility [of going small]. You have to have things in your back pocket that are a little different. It’s something we could look at more.”
LeVert played for John Beilein at Michigan, and was saddened to see his former coach’s ouster in Cleveland.
“Unfortunate. That’s one of my guys. Hate to see that happen,” LeVert said. “I don’t really know all that happened, so I can’t speak too much on it. But hate to see something like that especially since he’s so passionate about the game.”


newyorkpost--2020-02-24--Most New Yorkers believe President Trump will be reelected, new poll says

President Trump leads Democrats in Wisconsin , while trailing slightly in ...

A strong majority of voters in New York believe that President Trump will win a second term in the White House, a new poll said Monday.
Sixty-two percent of registered voters in the Empire State predict Trump will get re-elected, while only 29 percent said they think he will lose his re-election in November, the Siena College survey found.
Not surprisingly, 81 percent of Republicans were bullish on Trump’s re-election prospects as were 73 percent of independents.
But even a plurality of Democrats — 48 percent — think he will win a second term, the poll found.
That’s more than 41 percent of Democrats who predict Trump won’t be re-elected.
Virtually every group in New York believes Trump will win a second term in November: 63 percent of union households, 58 percent of New York City residents, 69 percent of suburbanites and 61 percent of upstaters.
African American voters were split — 43 percent said Trump will win a second term compared to 41 percent who believe he will be defeated.
Only slightly more liberals, 47 percent, believe Trump will be defeated by the eventual Democratic nominee compared to 42 percent who think he’ll win a second term.
But that doesn’t mean New Yorkers will vote for Trump.
All the six leading Democratic candidates would trounce Trump in a hypothetical match-up, according to the survey.
Former three-term New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg would defeat Trump by 25 points as the Democratic nominee on the New York ballot — 58 percent to 33 percent, the largest of any of the Democratic candidates, the poll found.
Pete Buttigieg and Joe Biden would carry New York by 19 points over Trump, Bernie Sanders by 18 points, Amy Klobuchar by 16 points and Elizabeth Warren by 14 points.
When registered Democrats were asked which of their party’s candidates has the best chance to become president, 33 percent said Bloomberg, 22 percent Sanders and 16 percent said Biden.
“Thirty-six weeks out, it does not appear that the Democrats’ winning streak in presidential contests in New York — solid since Ronald Regan’s re-election in 1984 — is in jeopardy. All six leading Democratic candidates currently lead Trump by double digits,” said Siena College pollster Steven Greenberg.
“Bloomberg, the former New York City mayor and current New Yorker, has a substantial 25-point lead over the president who was elected from New York and now lives in Florida, largely on the strength of a 17-point lead among independent voters,” Greenberg said.
But he also noted that most voters are resigned to Trump winning a second term despite their opposition to the GOP incumbent.
“While New Yorkers appear poised to give the Democrats their ninth consecutive presidential nod, they also overwhelmingly believe Trump is poised to win re-election to a second term,” Greenberg said.
“More than three-quarters of Republicans, nearly three-quarters of independents and nearly half of Democrats think Trump will win re-election in November. A majority of voters from every demographic group think Trump will win, with the exception of Democrats — only a plurality — and self-described liberals, who say he will not win 47-42 percent.”
New York’s Democratic primary is on April 28. A lot can happen before then.
The poll asked registered Democrats whom they would vote for: 25 percent said Sanders, 21 percent favored Bloomberg, 13 percent Biden, 11 percent Warren and 9 percent each backed Buttigieg and Klobuchar. It’s unclear who, aside from Sanders and Bloomberg, would be around to compete in the New York primary.
“This is more of a snapshot of Democrats than pre-election poll, since it is likely that South Carolina and Super Tuesday will significantly reduce the size of the field, and this poll did not look at likely primary voters,” Greenberg said of the primary survey.
The Siena College Research Institute surveyed 658 registered voters from Feb. 16 to 20. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.5 percentage points.
For the primary question, 315 registered Democrats were queried with a margin of error of 6.6 percentage points.
National polls and those in battleground states show Trump’s standing improving, thanks largely to a strong economy.


newyorkpost--2020-02-24--Islanders likely bringing back two-goalie plan

The Islanders know they need to be in playoff mode ... .

Islanders coach Barry Trotz has elected to ride goaltender Semyon Varlamov recently despite alternating between his two netminders for a majority of the season.
However, Trotz soon might switch back to his previous strategy.
With Sunday’s 4-1 win over the Sharks, Varlamov has now started five consecutive games. He’s also gotten the start in six of the past seven, but has made seven-straight appearances between the pipes.
Varlamov turned aside 29 of the 30 shots San Jose threw his way to improve to 19-12-4 on the season.
“I think he’s handled [this stretch] very well,” Trotz said Sunday. “One thing that Varly does is he’s a tremendous worker. He works at his craft day in and day out. Off the ice, on the ice. He’s handled the workload quite well.”
The other Islanders goaltender, Thomas Greiss, was pulled midway through the second period Feb. 13 against the Predators, the start of the Islanders’ four-game road trip out West, after allowing three goals on eight shots. Varlamov stepped in and allowed another two as the Islanders were run out of Nashville 5-0.
Since then, Varlamov has stopped 148 of the 156 shots he’s faced over the past five games (.949 save percentage). The Islanders, however, have gone 2-3 over that span.
When asked about sticking with Varlamov for the past few games Friday night after a 4-1 rout of the Red Wings, Trotz pointed to the fact that the team hasn’t had a lot of practice time recently and it has been difficult to keep both goalies warm.
Considering Greiss’ struggles at the beginning of the trip, Trotz was seemingly more inclined to go with Varlamov. But with the Rangers coming to the Coliseum on Tuesday, a big test in St. Louis on Thursday, as well as a Saturday matinee against the Bruins, Trotz said he’ll likely go back to an alternating schedule.
“We’re going to need both,” he said. “Next month is packed in.”
Varlamov has started 35 games this season while Greiss has been the starter for 26. Varlamov has posted a .918 save percentage so far this season, while Greiss (16-8-2) is right behind with a .916 save percentage.
Derick Brassard, who took a puck to the face in the first period of the 3-1 loss in Colorado, participated in morning skate but did not dress for the second straight game.
Trotz classified Brassard as “day-to-day” prior to facing the Red Wings, which kicked off a three-game homestand. Brassard skated with extra protective gear on his helmet during morning skate.
With Sunday’s win, Barry Trotz moved into third place on the Islanders’ all-time wins list for head coaches in franchise history.


newyorkpost--2020-02-24--Seven injured after shooting at ‘family dance’ in Houston flea market

Seven people were injured when a firearm went off at a “ family-type ” dance in Houston on Sunday night @ @ @ @ @ victim had been struck in the leg and six others suffered “ superficial ” wounds @ @ @ @ @ at Sabadomingo flea market in North Houston , according to the Harris County Sheriff ’ @ @ @ @ @ Gonzalez told reporters that the suspect was in custody and that person claimed that the @ @ @ @ @ One person suffered a gunshot wound to the leg while the others were struck by @ @ @ @ @ off the ground , the sheriff said .
Children were present at the Sabadomingo event @ @ @ @ @ family-type dance.
” The gunman was not identified on Sunday night .

Seven people were injured when a firearm went off at a “family-type” dance in Houston on Sunday night, cops said.
One victim had been struck in the leg and six others suffered “superficial” wounds when a shot rang out at Sabadomingo flea market in North Houston, according to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff Ed Gonzalez told reporters that the suspect was in custody and that person claimed that the gun went off accidentally.
One person suffered a gunshot wound to the leg while the others were struck by fragments after the bullet ricocheted off the ground, the sheriff said.
Children were present at the Sabadomingo event, described as a “family-type dance.”
The gunman was not identified on Sunday night.


newyorkpost--2020-02-24--Robinson Cano’s injury history shaping Mets’ spring training plan

PORT ST. LUCIE — The number of the day is ...

PORT ST. LUCIE — Robinson Cano is taking his time to build up for the exhibition season.
The Mets second baseman likely won’t appear in his first Grapefruit League season until at least the weekend, according to manager Luis Rojas, to ensure his legs are strong enough for continual action.
Cano last season was sidelined by quadriceps and hamstring injuries that limited him to 107 games.
“Robinson had, we call it a learning experience last year as far as strength and getting ready to go through the regular season like he did last year,” Rojas said. “After going through the injuries he had he took the offseason to work on those and he came into spring training, he’s doing the same thing.”
Cano will start as the DH before moving to second base, according to Rojas.
Steven Matz allowed a homer leading off Sunday’s game to Harrison Bader before retiring the next three batters in his one-inning appearance against the Cardinals.
“I’m really happy with it,” Matz said. “I think my changeup was down. Curveballs were down, arm feels good.”
Jeurys Familia pitched a scoreless second inning, allowing one hit and one walk in his first appearance this spring.
“I feel like a kid compared to last year,” said Familia, who shed 30 pounds in the offseason. “I feel like everything is a lot easier. This offseason I didn’t rest because I was looking for the objective and the goal … to get stronger to have a better season, to be able to really strengthen my body and my arm.”
David Peterson, Michael Wacha and Noah Syndergaard are scheduled to start the Mets’ next three exhibition games. Peterson, the team’s top pick in the 2017 draft, will face the Nationals on Monday in West Palm Beach. Wacha will get the 2 ½-hour bus ride to Lakeland on Tuesday to face the Tigers before Syndergaard pitches at home Wednesday against the Astros.
Jacob deGrom will continue to face hitters in live batting practice this week, but isn’t slotted into the rotation yet. Edwin Diaz will also continue facing hitters in live batting practice.


newyorkpost--2020-02-24--Descendants of Henry Clay Frick warring over planned Frick Museum renovation

Descendants of Henry Clay Frick are at war over an expansion plan that would see the destruction of the Frick Museum ’ s famed Music Room to make way for a larger auditorium and a cafe .
Since 1938 , the intimate oval-shaped room designed by John Russell Pope has hosted performances by the world ’ s top musicians , hailed by a top music critic as “ the closest thing to a 19th-century music salon this city has to offer.
” But the board of the Frick is pushing for a major expansion and renovation of the Fifth Avenue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mansion , which would see the music room demolished to install a large modern auditorium , cafeteria , bookshop and administrative offices .
There are four descendants of Frick on the board supporting the expansion plan , most notably Helen Clay Chace , one of his great-granddaughters who is now president emirata .
But fellow great-granddaughter , and Frick family historian , Martha Frick Symington Sanger has joined the opposition fighting to save the music room .
She said , “ The opposition and I are not against improving the infrastructure at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are going about it .
It is a travesty.
” “ By removing the music room , a one-of-a-kind marvelous room and putting in a very large special exhibition gallery , they will increase the crowds and the noise and chatter , this will also disrupt the serenity that everybody loves at the Frick .
It will disrupt the garden court where people come to meditate.
” “ This is a real violation of Henry Clay ’ s Frick ’ s gift to the public .
It is just ruinous , they could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The new development will dwarf the original building.
” “ The board is failing in its duty to protect a landmark resource .
The music room in the Frick is 80 years old , and clearly a cultural and historic resource .
It is like taking a wrecking ball to the Taj Mahal.
” As the fate of the music room rests on a decision to be made by the city ’ s Board of Standards and Appeals at a meeting Tuesday , Symington Sanger believes forces and management at the Frick and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Blackstone billionaire Stephen Schwarzman , who has donated millions to the institution , are pushing the development plan for their own glory .
She said , “ There are very ambitious people involved … They could develop underground and save the music room but people like this like monuments to themselves.
” However , a spokesperson for Schwarzman and Blackstone said , “ This is false .
The claim that Steve is the driver or ‘ chief proponent ’ of the renovation is a fabrication meant to manufacture a false controversy .
While @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plan , it was designed , implemented , and executed by the museum ’ s professional management team…The building will also not be named for him.
” A rep for the Frick added , “ This measured plan was conceived by the professional museum and library staff in concert with the Board of Trustees to address the Frick ’ s long-standing programmatic needs .
Having the full support of the Board , the project increases gallery space for the display of art , adds dedicated spaces for the Frick ’ s education programs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and improves accessibility and visitor amenities.
” “ The project will not aesthetically alter the ground floor galleries and will open to the public , for the first time , a suite of rooms on the second floor of the former Frick residence .
Critically , this plan preserves for visitors the intimacy that so earmarks ‘ The Frick Experience.
’ ” “ Over the past two years , the public has had ample opportunity to comment on the project before the Landmarks Preservation Commission and the Board of Standards and Appeals .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and transparent throughout .
”

Descendants of Henry Clay Frick are at war over an expansion plan that would see the destruction of the Frick Museum’s famed Music Room to make way for a larger auditorium and a cafe.
Since 1938, the intimate oval-shaped room designed by John Russell Pope has hosted performances by the world’s top musicians, hailed by a top music critic as “the closest thing to a 19th-century music salon this city has to offer.”
But the board of the Frick is pushing for a major expansion and renovation of the Fifth Avenue building, originally a 1914 Gilded Age mansion, which would see the music room demolished to install a large modern auditorium, cafeteria, bookshop and administrative offices.
There are four descendants of Frick on the board supporting the expansion plan, most notably Helen Clay Chace, one of his great-granddaughters who is now president emirata.
But fellow great-granddaughter, and Frick family historian, Martha Frick Symington Sanger has joined the opposition fighting to save the music room. She said, “The opposition and I are not against improving the infrastructure at the Frick, it is the way they are going about it. It is a travesty.”
“By removing the music room, a one-of-a-kind marvelous room and putting in a very large special exhibition gallery, they will increase the crowds and the noise and chatter, this will also disrupt the serenity that everybody loves at the Frick. It will disrupt the garden court where people come to meditate.”
“This is a real violation of Henry Clay’s Frick’s gift to the public. It is just ruinous, they could easily put this new development underground. The new development will dwarf the original building.”
“The board is failing in its duty to protect a landmark resource. The music room in the Frick is 80 years old, and clearly a cultural and historic resource. It is like taking a wrecking ball to the Taj Mahal.”
As the fate of the music room rests on a decision to be made by the city’s Board of Standards and Appeals at a meeting Tuesday, Symington Sanger believes forces and management at the Frick and on the board of trustees, including Blackstone billionaire Stephen Schwarzman, who has donated millions to the institution, are pushing the development plan for their own glory.
She said, “There are very ambitious people involved … They could develop underground and save the music room but people like this like monuments to themselves.”
However, a spokesperson for Schwarzman and Blackstone said, “This is false. The claim that Steve is the driver or ‘chief proponent’ of the renovation is a fabrication meant to manufacture a false controversy. While the full board has approved this long-standing plan, it was designed, implemented, and executed by the museum’s professional management team…The building will also not be named for him.”
A rep for the Frick added, “This measured plan was conceived by the professional museum and library staff in concert with the Board of Trustees to address the Frick’s long-standing programmatic needs. Having the full support of the Board, the project increases gallery space for the display of art, adds dedicated spaces for the Frick’s education programs, provides for modern conservation facilities, and improves accessibility and visitor amenities.”
“The project will not aesthetically alter the ground floor galleries and will open to the public, for the first time, a suite of rooms on the second floor of the former Frick residence. Critically, this plan preserves for visitors the intimacy that so earmarks ‘The Frick Experience.’”
“Over the past two years, the public has had ample opportunity to comment on the project before the Landmarks Preservation Commission and the Board of Standards and Appeals. The process has been public, rigorous, and transparent throughout.”
Jennifer Usdan McBride, a preservationist working with the opposition to the plan to demolish the music room added, “It’s unfortunate that the Frick administration was able to manipulate the facts about how much time the public has had to object to the project. In fact, the public only had a month before the issue went to landmarks, and those plans were not publicly available or accessible unless requested via a FOIA [ and the time to receive a response is variable]. Once the public learned about the plan, the opposition to it grew very quickly. There are over 7,000 signatures on two online petitions.”


newyorkpost--2020-02-24--Knicks’ Damyean Dotson: Hate of hometown Astros has gone too far

The Knicks , apparently , have finally gotten around to organizing a ...

HOUSTON — Damyean Dotson, proud Houstonian, is speaking more as fan than professional athlete. He’s a Houston Astros supporter, wearing the Astros’ cap at the Garden during last year’s ALCS.
His hometown team is being vilified across the country — with reported death threats issued against Astros players. Dotson, who attended the University of Houston, admits he doesn’t know all the specifics of Houston’s sign-stealing scandal, but believes it’s gone too far.
“I’m still not too sure about all of [the allegations], but you got to do what you got to do,’’ Dotson told The Post. “I’m not saying they should be cheating. I am an Astros fan. I should read more about [what they did]. All I’ve read about is they were cheating. I feel like a lot teams are cheating — just doing it in different ways. Don’t they say, ‘If you’re not cheating, you’re not competing?’ ’’
The Knicks will face the Rockets at Toyota Center on Monday — maybe Dotson’s last visit to Houston as a Knick. Dotson, who was drafted by former team president Phil Jackson, will be a free agent after this season.
Sources indicate the Knicks were fully prepared to extend Dotson a $2 million qualifying offer to keep him a restricted free agent and try to keep him by matching a reasonable offer. Whether there is a shift in thinking with incoming president Leon Rose is not entirely clear.
An NBA source said about four teams reached out about Dotson at the trade deadline. Orlando, Golden State, the Nets, Detroit and Utah have shown interest in Dotson in the past.
After not playing much at the start of the season, coming off shoulder surgery, Dotson has been more than adequate, continuing his path as a “3-and-D’’ guy off the bench.
Dotson, 25, has played in 46 games, averaged 6.7 points and shot 36.1 percent from 3. The Knicks went 4-5 when rookie starting shooting guard RJ Barrett was sidelined due to an ankle injury and Dotson’s role increased.
The shooting guard logjam has created a minutes crunch and interim coach Mike Miller hasn’t always shown a penchant for favoring the young guys.
“Am I still considered a young guy my third season?’’ Dotson asked. “I feel I’ve played a decent amount this year. I haven’t been sold short. Maybe I could get a little more time out there. I think we’re still fighting, still trying to win games. And our young guys are playing.
“A lot of teams, young guys don’t play at all. My rookie year, I didn’t play at all. We’re still trying to win some games and get better. Of course we’ll get a little more opportunity if the season keeps going like this.’’
Selected 44th in 2017, Dotson has been on team-friendly contract paying him $1.6 million this season.
“If I consider myself still young, hopefully I’ll get a little more time, and definitely show what I can do,’’ he said. “As far as the minutes, I’ve provided I’ve done pretty well. I can’t get complacent.’’
Reggie Bullock said he wasn’t surprised to see Oklahoma City’s Chris Paul rock his Knicks’ No. 25 jersey entering the arena Friday. They have a special relationship, dating to when Bullock played on the AAU team the superstar point guard runs in Winston Salem, N.C.
“He’s just supporting me,’’ Bullock said
The last time the Knicks were in Houston last April, a handful of Rockets left the team bench midway through the fourth quarter to get a jump on postgame treatment during the 120-96 rout.
It led MSG Network’s Alan Hahn to go on a rant the young players should have stored in their memory banks. Dotson, Mitchell Robinson and Kevin Knox were the only players on current roster to play in that game.


newyorkpost--2020-02-24--Rangers’ Jesper Fast could be intriguing NHL trade deadline commodity

It looks like Plan B for the Rangers , which means ...

Jesper Fast has always made it clear how much he loves playing in New York, if not from his words, then from his play.
The current and four-time winner of the team’s Players’ Player award is set to be an unrestricted free agent this summer and should bring some interest before Monday’s 3 p.m. trade deadline.
The 28-year-old Swedish winger is wrapping up a three-year, $5.5 million deal that carried an annual salary-cap hit of $1.85 million, and could garner a second- or third-round pick from a contender trying to shore up its bottom six and penalty kill.
Fast was an unheralded sixth-round pick by the Blueshirts in 2010, and made his debut in 2013-14. He has played 413 regular-season games for the Rangers, notching 54 goals and 145 points, while adding 39 playoff games. He scored two goals in Saturday night’s 3-2 win over the visiting Sharks, including the game-winner coming after numerous hacks in front, bounding over the goal line at 6:54 of the third period.
His 11 goals and 27 points through 60 games has him on pace for a career year.
“Shift in and shift out, you’re probably not going to find a more consistent player,” coach David Quinn said. “He plays hard, and he’s got enough skill to complement people that do have skill. There is such an honesty to his game and it’s certainly infectious throughout our lineup. He’s an important piece of the puzzle here.”
In terms of who might come up from AHL Hartford to fill the gaps if a few trades are made, first-round pick (No. 9 overall) Vitali Kravtsov scored a breakaway goal and added an assist on Saturday night for the Wolf Pack, and notched another assist Sunday against Bridgeport. Since returning from his two-month hiatus back in Russia, the 20-year-old winger has five goals and eight assists in 27 games.
Goalie J-F Berube, who the Rangers obtained in a trade with the Flyers on Wednesday for future considerations, played two games for the Wolf Pack, allowing a combined four goals on 40 shots during a loss at Springfield on Friday and win at Bridgeport on Sunday.
Shoot-first winger Vinni Lettieri is leading the Wolf Pack with 24 goals and 43 points in 55 games played, followed by Steven Fogarty with 12 goals and 35 points. Fogarty played six games for the Rangers this season and 10 in 2018-19, while Lettieri hasn’t been up yet this year but played 46 games with the Blueshirts over the past two seasons.


newyorkpost--2020-02-24--How Jonathan Loaisiga could work way into Yankees rotation

TAMPA — With the Yankees ’ fingers firmly crossed that Luis ...

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — If not for injuries and a slight build some believe wouldn’t hold up under the strain of being a starting pitcher, Jonathan Loaisiga might be a fixture in some team’s rotation.
As it is, there is a chance the 5-foot-11, 165-pound right-hander lands in the Yankees’ rotation that is already without James Paxton and might be missing Luis Severino, who will undergo three days of tests in New York this week designed to find out why his right forearm is sore.
Loaisiga made his first spring training appearance Sunday, starting in a 9-7 loss to the Rays at Charlotte Sports Park. He retired all three batters he faced and struck out one.
“There is a chance for a spot in the rotation. If that happens, I have to do my job on the field,’’ said Loaisiga, who missed all of 2014 and 2015 with arm trouble when he was in the Giants’ system. Claimed by the Yankees in February 2016, Loaisiga was limited to one game that year. Last season the 25-year-old hit the injured list with a strained right shoulder.
There also could be an opening in the bullpen. Or, since he has an option left, Loaisiga could start the season at Triple-A.
Already equipped with several different above-average fastballs that produce a lot of swings and misses, Loaisiga is trying to add a slider into an arsenal that also includes a changeup and curveball.
“Something we talked about, adding another weapon,’’ said Loaisiga, who threw 14 pitches Sunday.
“He threw some really good changeups,’’ manager Aaron Boone said. “The strikeout on the changeup was a really good pitch. From the side, for a second, I thought it might have been a breaking ball [because] it had so much depth on it.’’


newyorkpost--2020-02-24--88-year-old woman fatally struck by car while crossing Queens street

An 88-year-old woman was fatally struck by a car while crossing a Queens street on Sunday , police said .
@ @ @ @ @ , was hit at the intersection of 48th Avenue and Bell Boulevard about 1:35 p.m. @ @ @ @ @ driven by a 60-year-old man , cops said .
The driver , who remained at @ @ @ @ @ a left turn onto Bell Boulevard when he hit the elderly victim , according to @ @ @ @ @ taken to North Shore Manhasset Hospital and pronounced dead .
No charges were immediately brought @ @ @ @ @ said the investigation is ongoing .

An 88-year-old woman was fatally struck by a car while crossing a Queens street on Sunday, police said.
Dolores Soho, of Queens, was hit at the intersection of 48th Avenue and Bell Boulevard about 1:35 p.m. by a Ford van being driven by a 60-year-old man, cops said.
The driver, who remained at the scene, was making a left turn onto Bell Boulevard when he hit the elderly victim, according to police.
The woman was taken to North Shore Manhasset Hospital and pronounced dead.
No charges were immediately brought against the driver. Police said the investigation is ongoing.