Under Cover

Largest caravan ever?
Tea-party blogger, and Executive Director of Stop Islamization of America, Pamela Geller told us to watch out come this September 11. The adamant opponent to the so called “mosque at Ground Zero” said there is a new Facebook page with thousands of fans, all planning and rallying to invade our fair city on the ninth anniversary of the terrorist attacks to protest the Cordoba Initiative’s planned Park51 community center.

“It’s going to be the largest caravan ever,” said Geller. “I have nothing to do with it, but I am enormously proud.”

Staircase, no staircase
The saga of the possible impending demolition of the staircase in the Winter Garden at the World Financial Center took a new turn this week. Brookfield properties told us no decision has been made, but then followed up by saying they were not at liberty to discuss other options.

“Not at liberty to discuss other options?” Sounds like a decision has been made: to keep us in the dark.

Batali feels the heat
Can you say food fight? Mario Batali, who owns a number of area restaurants, including the upscale Babbo and the more casual Otto, has been sued by Babbo workers who claim that he had them divide up their tips among employees who were not entitled to the money, and also that the restaurant doesn’t pay their employees minimum wage or proper overtime pay. Batali partner Joe Bastianich was also named in the suit. But, the foodie blog Eater referred to it as a “shakedown.” The plot thickened when Eater reported on Wednesday that protesters had gathered outside of posh Batali/Bastianich joint Del Posto. The demonstration was organized by the Restaurant Opportunities Group.