In honor of Mayor Thomas Menino’s expected announcement Thursday that he will not seek re-election, Metro looks back at one of it’s favorite Menino moments…
Metro recently came across yet another picture of Mayor Thomas Menino playing a percussion instrument. It seems Menino’s infatuation with the drums (see below) includes gongs as well. The following picture was taken Sept. 13 at a celebration for a new office opening in the Innovation District:

(Courtesy City of Boston)

We found more photos of Menino tapping the drums in our archive. These Metro photos come from the 2010 opening of an after-school and summer music program in East Boston. The original story that was published August 9, 2012 is below the next two photos:

And another…

Richard Nixon had the piano, Bill Clinton had the saxophone and Mayor Thomas Menino apparently has the drums.

A photo of the mayor rocking out at Tuesday’s National Night Out event in South Boston has been making its way around the Internet after it was posted by City Councilor Matt O’Malley on Twitter.

(Courtesy @mattomalley)

Menino, Boston’s longest serving mayor, has hit on success recently when he took on Chick-fil-A and the chicken chain president’s anti-gay marriage comments.

Some Twitter users have even taken to making memes out of the picture and tying it to the recent viral success when a letter Menino sent to Chick-fil-A’s president was posted online.

“Sorry Chick-fil-A but these are the only drumsticks Boston needs,” @stevhensays posted as his caption.

Metro did some research and found that Menino apparently has an affinity for the drums.

He was spotted banging out some tunes during a block party in Downtown Crossing at the end of last month.

(Image courtesy Suffolk University)

A short video of him toying with the skins and cymbals during an event last year on City Hall Plaza has also been posted on YouTube.

Metro hasn’t yet heard Menino play the drums, but his office said that he’s got rhythm and that he likes to have fun. They did not believe the mayor has played in a band or had drum lessons.

“Watch out, Dave Grohl,” tweeted @derjue.

Follow Michael Naughton on Twitter @metrobosmike.

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What is relevant to the coach is that his team is fundamentally sound in all aspects. The 2011-12 Rangers were, and as a result finished with the best record in the Eastern Conference and advanced to the Eastern Conference final for the first time since 1996-97. 

But trends do not automatically carry over from one year to the next. And what Tortorella has seen over the first two weeks of the truncated campaign is a team that is still learning the rudiments.

“I think the team that handles the details, situational play within the game, handle those kind of things more consistently is going to be a team that wins more consistently. That’s what we’re trying to get to as quickly as possible,” Tortorella said prior to Thursday night’s Garden match against the Penguins. “Situational play is huge in winning or losing hockey games. Situational play comes to the forefront in the third period.”   

The task becomes decidedly more arduous without Ryan Callahan, who the organization announced Wednesday will miss the next 10-to-14 days with a shoulder subluxation. Callahan suffered the injury during a third period wrestling match with the Flyers’ Max Talbot in the Rangers’ 2-1 win Tuesday night.

One player Tortorella pointed to as being key in picking up the slack in Callahan’s absence is Jeff Halpern. Signed to a one-year, $700,000 UFA deal last July, Halpern has been one of the better faceoff men and penalty killers throughout his 12-year career with Washington, Dallas, Tampa Bay, Los Angeles and Montreal.

“Faceoffs [are] going to be an important part of his game, penalty killing,” Tortorella said. “With Ryan Callahan [out], he’s going to have to handle some situational play in the third period.

“I think he’s a cerebral player who can help us in a lot of different situations when he gets his game turned on. He gave us some good minutes the other night.”    

NHL notes …

» Matt Gilroy and Stu Bickel dressed last night. Steve Eminger was scratched while Callahan and Chris Kreider (bone chip in his right ankle) were as well, due to injuries.

» Before last night’s game against the Devils at the Prudential Center, the Islanders announced defenseman Brian Strait agreed to a three-year contract. The Islanders signed Strait off waivers from the Penguins on Jan. 18. Also, the Devils activated center Adam Henrique. He has been out since a 5-4 overtime loss to the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Penguins on Nov. 25, 2012, due to surgery to repair the ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb.

» Pittsburgh signed left wing Zach Boychuk off waivers yesterday. The Hurricanes had put Boychuk on wavers Wednesday with the expectation he would clear and subsequently be sent to AHL Charlotte.

Follow Rangers beat writer Denis Gorman on Twitter @DenisGorman.

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“He rubbed my feet when I was pregnant in ‘Traffic.’ That’s the only reason why I keep coming back,” she says with a laugh. “He looked after a pregnant woman so well, I just knew I’d always be in good hands.”

Of course, it takes more than foot rubs to get Zeta-Jones interested in a project. Over the past few years, she has focused on her home life following husband Michael Douglas’ battle with cancer.

“I love my job but it takes me a lot to leave my kids, leave my husband and leave my dogs,” she says. “I find it really hard to leave my children. I think that I’ll never get these beautiful, formative, delicious years back, and it takes me great thought and what is it that I want to leave my kids and my husband for? And this obviously was a must for me. I’d pretty much do the phonebook with Steven if he asked me, just read it in three different languages — French, Welsh and English.”

There was one other element of “Side Effects” that had a can’t-miss appeal for Zeta-Jones, and that was the chance to tackle playing an accomplished psychiatrist.

“I’m actually thrilled that Steven cast me as a doctor because I never went to college, and I always wanted an M.D. after my name,” she says. “I’m really quite flattered that he fulfilled my mother’s dream.”

There are other gigs beckoning Zeta-Jones away from home, too. She just wrapped filming on “Red 2,” the sequel to the 2011 action hit starring Bruce Willis and Helen Mirren, and she’ll be on stage later this month at the Oscars for the awards show’s tribute to musicals from the past decade, including “Chicago,” for which Zeta-Jones won an Oscar.

“I’m absolutely terrified. I don’t quite know the exact capacity in which I will be [involved],” she says. “I’ll be there, put it that way. I don’t quite know what I’ll be doing. That will be fun.”

Her husband is kissing Matt Damon

Catherine Zeta-Jones’ husband, Michael Douglas, is also re-teaming with director Steven Soderbergh, taking on the role of Liberace in the HBO movie “Behind the Candelabra.” The role calls or Douglas to lock lips on-screen with co-star Matt Damon, something Zeta-Jones says she’s come to terms with.

“I’ve seen ‘Behind the Candelabra’ and if my husband’s going to kiss anybody else in the world, I’m so happy it’s Matt Damon,” she says. “Supposedly when Matt Damon was kissing Michael, he closed his eyes and pretended he was kissing me. He said that to Michael. Matt was closing his eyes and kissing Michael and pretending he was kissing me, and I just thought that was one of the biggest compliments I’ve ever had.”

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Speaking to reporters, Guler said the attacker could have been a member of the militant Revolutionary People’s Liberation Party-Front (DHKP-C) or another leftist group.

The U.S. consulate in Istanbul warned its citizens against visiting its missions in Turkey until further notice.

“The Department of State advises U.S. citizens traveling or residing in Turkey to be alert to the potential for violence, to avoid those areas where disturbances have occurred and to avoid demonstrations and large gatherings,” the consulate statement added.

Ankara Governor Alaaddin Yuksel said the attacker was inside U.S. property when the explosives were detonated. The blast sent masonry spewing out of the wall of the side entrance, but there did not appear to be any more significant structural damage.

The bomber was also killed.

U.S. Ambassador Francis Ricciardone emerged through the main gate of the building, which is surrounded by high walls, shortly after the explosion to address reporters, flanked by a security detail as a Turkish police helicopter hovered overhead.

“We are very sad of course that we lost one of our Turkish guards at the gate,” Ricciardone he said, thanking the Turkish authorities for a prompt response.

A Reuters witness saw one wounded person being lifted into an ambulance as police armed with assault rifles cordoned off the area.

“It was a huge explosion. I was sitting in my shop when it happened. I saw what looked like a body part on the ground,” said travel agent Kamiyar Barnos whose shop window was shattered around 100 meters away from the blast.

One witness said the blast was audible a mile away.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility. The British Consulate-General to Turkey said the blast a “suspected terrorist attack”.

Islamist radicals, far-left groups, far-right groups and Kurdish separatist militants have all carried out attacks in Turkey in the past.

The main domestic security threat comes from the separatist Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), deemed a terrorist group by the United States, European Union and Turkey, but the PKK has focused its campaign largely on domestic targets.

Turkey has led calls for international intervention in neighboring Syria and is hosting hundreds of NATO soldiers from the United States, Germany and the Netherlands who are operating a Patriot missile defense system along its border with Syria, hundreds of kilometers away from the capital.

The U.S. Patriots were expected to go active in the coming days.

The most serious attacks of this kind in Turkey occurred in November 2003, when car bombs shattered two synagogues, killing 30 people and wounding 146. Authorities said the attack bore the hallmarks of al Qaeda.

Part of the HSBC Bank headquarters was destroyed and the British consulate was damaged in two more explosions that killed a further 32 people a week later.

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“No New Yorker has – or likely ever will – voice their love for New York City in such a passionate and outspoken manner than Ed Koch,” Cuomo said. “New York City would not be the place it is today without Ed Koch’s leadership over three terms at City Hall.”

Mayor Michael Bloomberg called him a champion for the city.

“Ed helped lift the city out of its darkest days and set it on course for an incredible comeback,” Bloomberg said. “We will miss him dearly, but his good works – and his wit and wisdom – will forever be a part of the city he loved so much.”

Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance remembered Koch as someone with “wise advice” who helped reform the criminal justice system.

“Every New Yorker has the right to walk the streets of our city without fear, and all New Yorkers deserve equal access to justice,” Vance said. “We’d be far, far further from these goals today if not for Mayor Ed Koch’s foresight and vision and courage.”

Others remembered him as a legendary New Yorker, the man Bloomberg called “an irrepressible icon.”

“He was a quintessential New Yorker, a clever man and politician and possessed the chutzpah that truly made him one of the best mayors in this city’s history,” Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce President Carlo Scissura said.

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As mayor from 1978 to 1989, the forceful, quick-witted Koch, with his trademark phrase “How’m I Doing?,” was a polarizing figure and the city’s constant promoter.

Koch died at about 2 a.m. (0700 GMT) at New York-Presbyterian hospital, the spokesman for Koch said.

Koch was credited with lifting New York from crushing economic crises to a level of prosperity that was the envy of other U.S. cities. Under his leadership, the city regained its fiscal footing and undertook a building renaissance.

But his three terms in office were also marked by racial tensions, corruption among many of his political cronies, the rise in AIDS and HIV, homelessness and a high crime rate. In 1989, he lost the Democratic nomination for what would have been a record fourth term as mayor

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It was the Bruins’ first loss at home this season in their opening Northeast Division game. Boston actually led 3-1 late in the second period before the Sabres completely took over and owned the third period (4-1).
 
Thomas Vanek (3 goals, 2 assists) had his eighth career NHL hat trick for Buffalo as he continued to forge his place as a certified Bruins killer with 28 goals and 26 assists in 46 career games against Boston. His linemates Cody Hodgson (1 goals, 2 assists) and Jason Pamonville (1 goal, 2 assists) also had multiple points. Brad Marchand scored twice for Boston while Rich Peverley notched his first goal of the season. Ryan Miller made 38 saves for the win and Tuukka Rask (25 saves) wasn’t nearly as bad as his numbers suggest, his defensemen hung him out to dry all night.
 
It wasn’t a game that Shawn Thornton would like to remember as he got pummeled in a fight with gigantic (6-foot-8) Sabres goon John Scott. Thornton appeared woozy when he went to the penalty box and he didn’t return for the rest of the game after that. There were no goals in the first period but that quickly changed as both teams scored three goals in the second period. Vanek opening the scoring on a one-timer from Hodgson but then Peverley answered with a snipe off the post and in. Marchand scored his pair in the span of 3:11 to give the Bruins a 3-1 lead. Buffalo cut it to 3-2 with a power-play goal on a 5-on-3 advantage then Ennis tied it thanks to a spectacular diving pass from Vanek.

David Krejci scored Boston’s last goal on a beautiful move early in the third period. The Bruins were up 4-3 but they soon folded as Alexander Sulzer shot from the point snuck by Rask to tie it at four. Hodgson’s one-timer from Vanek handed Buffalo their first lead since 1-0 then Vanek completed his hat trick. Jason Pominville added an empty-netter for good measure.
 
The B’s don’t play another game at home until next Saturday. They have two more Northeast Division games as they travel to Toronto (4-3-0) on Saturday (7 p.m., NESN) then Montreal on Wednesday. Three games in nine days is their quietest stretch of the regular season.

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All of the improvements the Rangers appeared to make in winning three of their last four games dissipated in a stultifying 3-0 loss to the Penguins Thursday night at the Garden.

“It was a terrible game,” said Henrik Lundqvist. The reigning Vezina winner stopped 26-of-29-shots. “It’s not a lot of action. Five-on-five [and] special teams were key. A lot of time that would be the difference and they won with special teams.”

The loss to the Atlantic Division rivals was their second in as many games this season, and sixth in eight games dating back to last season. Evgeni Malkin’s bomb from the half wall 84 seconds in was all the Penguins would need, although James Neal (26 seconds) and Simon Despres (10:23) added third-period markers.

The three goals lasted because last night’s match was a carbon copy of the 6-3 home opening loss on Jan. 20. The Penguins would not allow the Rangers much in the way of puck possession or zone time, and the Blueshirts could not effectively navigate the neutral zone as Pittsburgh clogged the middle of the ice. All conspired to produce an easy 28-save shutout for Tomas Vokoun.

“They sit in that neutral zone,” Marc Staal said. “They just kind of wait and hang out. We couldn’t really find any speed through the offensive zone or on the rushes”

It did not help their cause that the Rangers gave the Penguins six power plays, while falling to 3-for-28 on the season with the man advantage. Collectively, the Rangers do not believe there is an overemphasis on getting the puck to Rick Nash. However, during his 3:22 of ice time on the power play last night, Nash routinely carried the puck up ice instead of Michael Del Zotto or Brad Richards.

When the Rangers did gain the zone on the power play, Pittsburgh overplayed Nash. Of his three shots on goal, one came on the man advantage.

“I don’t know. I don’t feel that [we are forcing it to Nash]. But maybe it looks like that from up top. I’m not sure. It’s a different view from up there. We’re trying to do the right thing. We’re trying to make a good play to get the guy open,” Dan Girardi said.

“Simple is better, I think. One or two passes and get the puck to the net when there’s two guys in front and bang in some rebounds.”

Neal’s goal — his fifth of the season — came on a power play after the Rangers were penalized for too many men on the ice. It marked the third time in three games an opponent scored a power play goal off of that specific penalty.

“Not paying attention,” head coach John Tortorella said of the too many men on the ice penalty. “It’s fairly easy to know what guy you’re going to take coming off the ice, and it hurts us again tonight.”

Also prevalent through the match was a complete lack of flow and emotion. The former can be attributed to the combined 10 power plays but the later is a cause for concern considering the rivalry between the two franchises. The team would not blame the dispassion on the absence of captain Ryan Callahan, who is out 10-to-14 days with a shoulder subluxation.

“There’s not enough. I can sum it up [with] sloppy. Didn’t make passes. Didn’t make plays. We just didn’t make it too tough on their goalie. That’s why he gets a shutout,” Richards said. “Obviously with [Callahan’s] energy and his hitting and his emotion he brings [it is a loss]. But we can’t pack it in. Every team has injuries and we have to figure out a way to come out better than that.”

Follow Rangers beat writer Denis Gorman on Twitter @DenisGorman.

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That’s why Peter Laviolette is juggling lines and spending extra time trying to get their anemic power play working. He knows full well that after a 2-5 start, which has left them 13th in the Eastern Conference through the first two weeks, the Flyers need to start shaping up now.

As does team captain Claude Giroux, who hasn’t scored a goal in the last five games. Laviolette had reunited him on a line with Danny Briere, along with Wayne Simmonds, hoping to jump start their best player.

“Obviously, I’m not happy with my game but it’s only seven games,” said Giroux following Thursday’s practice. “I’m staying positive. Things are going to turn around pretty quick.”

And Friday, in Washington, D.C. against the equally-struggling Capitals (1-4-1), would be a good place to start. The Flyers begin a four-game homestand versus Carolina (2-3) Saturday, followed by Tampa Bay, Florida and a return engagement with the Hurricanes next Saturday.

“I think it’s a nice complement,” said Laviolette, of the Giroux-Briere tandem. “One sees the ice really well. One can put the puck in the back of the net really well. We’ll try it and see where it goes.”

At this point, with the Flyers ranked 25th in the NHL in goals scored (14), they have to try something.

“It’s not the start we wanted,” said Giroux, “but we have to deal with it right now. In a season you will have a little slump like that. Maybe it is good that it is happening right off the bat.’’

As long as they can turn it around — preferably sooner than later.

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City Councilman Bill Greenlee on Thursday introduced legislation that would require the city’s indoor tanning facilities to issue customers written warnings about the danger of artificial sunlight and to restrict minors’ access to sun beds.

“There is a clear and ever increasing risk of cancer over the years for those who are exposed to indoor tanning beds,” Greenlee said.

The legislation would require tanning salons to have customers sign warnings outlining the risks of repeated artificial UV ray exposure, including premature aging, skin cancer and damage to unprotected eyes.

Greenlee pointed to statistics he called “staggering” – 71 percent of the one million people who use tanning beds each day are females between the ages of 16 and 29, and studies show that young people who patronize tanning salons have a 69 percent increased chance of a common form of early-onset skin cancer.

“Teenage girls and young women make up the growing number of tanning bed customers,” Greenlee said. “And they often feel pressure to look tan for proms and other events without considering the risks, thinking they are not vulnerable to skin cancer.”

The Center for Disease Control estimates that those who begin tanning younger than the age of 35 have a 75 percent higher risk of melanoma.

Greenlee’s legislation would require tanning facilities to obtain written permission from legal guardians to allow minors to tan, as well as ban all those under the age of 14 from tanning beds without a note from a licensed doctor.

Billboard fight suspended

In other City Hall news, after two years of legislative battles over the issue, City Council has for now given up its fight to erect a 10,000 square-foot digital wall wrap on the Electric Factory building at 8th and Callowhill streets.

Councilman Mark Squilla on Thursday announced that, following Mayor Michael Nutter’s veto of a bill allowing the signage – a portion of which revenue would have gone to fund local schools – he would not seek an override vote.

“The self-serving interest of the billboard industry have never been stronger in this city and we are extremely grateful to the mayor for doing the right thing,” said Mary Tracy of anti-blight nonprofit Scenic Philadelphia. “This has been a tough issue for Councilman Squilla and we are grateful to him for not requesting an override vote.”

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“The mayor has called for a premier cycling event and the team we have pulled together intends to deliver nothing less for the city of Philadelphia in 2013,” Brady said in a statement. “As long as there is a wall in Manayunk, there will be a world class cycling event in Philadelphia.”

The newly-titled Philly Cycling Classic will be directed by Robin Morton of G4 Productions. The leadership team also includes Philadelphia Insurance Triathlon founder Alan Morrison, Philadelphia Triathlon head Richard Adler, co-founder of Cadence Cycling Foundation Ryan Oelkers, businessman Bob Clowry, Jane Lipton of the Manayunk Development Corporation and Karen Bliss of Marketing for Advanced Sports International.

More information regarding sponsorship and scheduling is expected to be released in the coming weeks.

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“Those who seek to game the system by refusing to follow the rules need to be held accountable by the rule of law they swore to uphold,” U.S. Attorney Zane David Memeger said in a statement.

The 77-count indictment said “the ticket fixing was pervasive and frequent,” continued from July 2008 until September 2011 and cost the city an untold amount.

“For years, even beyond the dates of the conspiracy charged, there existed a culture of ticket fixing at Traffic Court,” it said.

The indictment said that local politicians, including ward leaders, politically connected individuals, and those with influential positions in business, labor, industry or society, asked Traffic Court judges or administrators for preferential treatment for constituents, relatives, friends, and associates who had been issued citations.

One business owner, Henry Alfano, 68, described in the indictment as the owner of an automotive business and the landlord for two gentlemen’s clubs, is accused of fixing tickets for his friends. In exchange, he paid a judge with free car repairs, car maintenance, car towing, videos and seafood.

Another businessman, Robert Moy, 56, owner of a translation service, sometimes guaranteed his customers favorable results on their traffic tickets, and did so by working through a traffic court judge, the indictment said.

William Brennan, a lawyer who represents former judge Willie Singletary, told Reuters on Thursday that he will enter a plea of not guilty for his client.

“I’m pleased after reviewing this lengthy document, this indictment, that the government does not allege that my client took one thin dime,” Brennan said.

Charges and penalties

All defendants are charged with conspiracy, aiding and abetting, mail fraud and wire fraud.
Some also face allegations of perjury and making false statements to the FBI.

– Administrative Judge of Traffic Court Michael Sullivan faces up to 440 years in prison and a $5.5 million fine.

– Traffic Court judge Michael Lowry faces a maximum sentence of 205 years in prison and a $2.75 million fine.

– Former Traffic Court judge Robert Mulgrew faces up to 145 years in jail and a $2 million fine.

– Former Traffic Court judge Willie Singletary faces a maximum sentence of 490 years in jail and a $6.5 million fine.

– Former Traffic Court judge Thomasine Tynes could receive up to 230 years in prison and a $3.25 million fine.

– Chester County magisterial district judge Mark Bruno faces a maximum sentence of 60 years in prison and a $750,000 fine.

– Former Traffic Court director of records William Hird could receive up to 315 years in jail and a $4.5 million fine.

Other defendants include business owners Moy and Alfano, senior Traffic Court judge Fortunato N. Perri Sr., Bucks County senior magisterial district judge H. Warren Hogeland and Delaware county senior district judge Kenneth Miller.

– METRO / AW

Cleaning court

Political watchdog Committee of Seventy on Thursday suggested several steps to start rebuilding the public’s trust in the city Traffic Court.

CEO Zack Stalberg pointed out that the primary election for three open Traffic Court seats is less than four months away and suggested concerned voters let their ballots do the talking – or that Gov. Tom Corbett step in and appoint three judges who have demonstrated transparency and integrity.

Seventy also suggested that the First Judicial District mandate ethics training for Traffic Court employees, the Philadelphia Bar Association should evaluate and publicly rate all 2013 Traffic Court Candidates and the city Democratic and Republican committees endorse candidates based on those ratings.

Stalberg said that in the long term, Traffic Court needs to be either dissolved or completely overhaul the Philadelphia Traffic Court.

“Today’s indictments are not isolated episodes that can be fixed by getting rid of several bad actors,” he said. “There has been one scandal after another in Traffic Court. This pattern must end.”

– METRO / AW

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The bell, cast in the same London foundry that in 1751 created the Liberty Bell, was a 1976 gift from Queen Elizabeth II celebrating the country’s 200th birthday. Her trip to Philadelphia that year marked the first time a British monarch visited the city.

The tower that until Thursday housed the bell is being demolished for the National Museum of the American Revolution. The bell will reportedly be relocated in Independence National Historic Park.

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The Garden @ Studio Square is having one of the biggest parties in the city — complete with unlimited drinks, an all-you-can-eat buffet, flat-screens, shots and raffle prizes. 35-33 36th Street, Long Island City, 718- 383-1001

Ainsworth Park boasts a ton of TVs (65 at last count), a seated patio and quite likely a celebrity sighting or two. Expect an upscale menu, game-day specialty cocktails and a more dressed-up crowd. 111 E. 18th St., 212-673-2467

With close to 40 TVs per location, Brother Jimmy’s BBQ is the most low-key deal in town: no cover charge and no table minimums. Take-out and catering are available, too. Multiple locations, www.brotherjimmys.com

Surprising spots to get the party started

Pachanga Patterson’s Mexican spread is not exactly all-American, but their all-you-can-eat family style menu features some other favorites (including nachos, empanadas, hot buffalo wings and sliders). 33-17 31st Ave., Astoria, 718-554-0525

Pera Soho will be offering its Mediterranean fare, along with happy-hour specials, and will be serving its three-course Sunday Supper throughout the night, which includes half-priced bottles of wine. 54 Thompson St., 212-878-6305

Bowl during the Bowl at Lucky Strike, which is offering a game-day menu (including smoked wings and short rib tacos), bottomless drinks, and pingpong and pool to keep you extra entertained. 624-660 W. 42nd St., 646-829-0170

Our picks for gourmet Super Bowl take-out

The Meatball Shop is selling their balls by the bucket this weekend. Patrons choose 25 balls (pick from beef, chicken, pork, vegetable or the game-day special, buffalo chicken) and sauce (tomato, spicy pork, pesto, parmesan cream, mushroom gravy and special blue cheese dressing with Frank’s Hot Sauce).  Multiple locations, www.themeatballshop.com 

Num Pang’s Super Pang is a 3-foot sub stuffed with your items of your choice (like Hoisin veal meatballs or pulled Duroc pork). This super sub feeds 10 to 12 and comes with grilled corn on the cob. Multiple locations, www.numpangnyc.com

If you can’t make it to Tacombi’s Super Bowl party in its Fonda Nolita digs (try the spiked horchata!), you can get its Super Bowl tacos (crispy fish, short rib shrimp) and corn esquites (grilled corn in a cup) for take-out and delivery. 267 Elizabeth St., 917-727-0179

Little Muenster’s grilled-cheese packages include football-shaped sliders, gourmet potato skins (with prosciutto, pecorino and truffle salt) and bread pudding bites. 100 Stanton St., 212-203-7197

Up for some Italian delights? How about a platter of salumi ($60), formaggi ($80) or panini from Il Buco Alimentari & Vineria? 53 Great Jones St., 212-837-2622

You’ll score a touchdown with your friends if you show up to the party with football-themed Sprinkles cupcakes. $39/dozen, 780 Lexington Ave., 212-207-8375

Where to order traditional stuff

Hill Country Barbecue Market is offering up classics from its regular menu (Texas-style dry-rub brisket) and game-day deals (pit-smoked wings, links, ribs and more). 30 W. 26th St., 212-255-4544

Kutsher’s Tribeca gets in on the spirit with a 3-foot smoked meat football sub with pastrami, corned beef, turkey and Swiss on homemade challah, cut in the shape of a football. 186 Franklin St., 212-431-0606

The post Here is your ultimate NYC Super Bowl guide appeared first on Metro.us.

The six-time All-Star forward stands 6-foot-10, but his game was always more suited to that of a perimeter player, hovering around the elbow ready to shoot the jumper. But since his return to the lineup after missing the first two months of the season due to a knee debridement procedure, Stoudemire has found himself working on the blocks more than usual. 

Perhaps it’s because of his summer workouts with Hall of Famer Hakeem Olajuwon, or maybe it’s because Stoudemire is needed more than ever in the post because the Knicks are so undermanned in the size department. Center Tyson Chandler is the only other legitimate big man that is currently on the active roster, but his offensive game is limited — despite his maiden All-Star accolades this season.     

Stoudemire has taken a unique route to his current role this season, as he’s gone from a former franchise cornerstone to sixth man. But when asked if it’s bittersweet that he’s no longer the go-to guy and has seen his minutes pared down this season, he shrugs and offers a “no, not really,” because in his eyes, “it’s all about winning championships.” He offered that he’s been finishing games, which shows him that he’s still a big piece of this puzzle.  

Head coach Mike Woodson agreed and added that he certainly sees a different fire in Stoudemire this season, because at his age, 30, the window for winning that elusive ring is closing. 
 
“I just think he senses a sense of urgency in terms of the makeup of our team that we have to win now,” Woodson said. “It doesn’t matter who starts and who plays all the minutes. I always believe it’s about who finishes the game. He’s accepted his role, [which] tells me that he’s on board, he’s trying to help us win, and it doesn’t matter what the situation is. … He’s going to do whatever it takes to help us win.” 

Stoudemire has indeed taken nicely to his new role. And by doing whatever it takes to do so, he’s endeared himself to his teammates even more so than he already had.   

Since returning New Year’s Day, Stoudemire’s legs have looked fresher with each passing game, and his performances have gotten better each game, culminating with Wednesday night’s stat line of 14 points on 7-of-7 shooting. He’s averaging 16.5 points per game in his last six contests and 12.7 4.3 .553 percent from the floor in 22.3 minutes of action. If his numbers are prorated over 36 minutes, Stoudemire’s impact trails only Carmelo Anthony’s per-36 minutes averages, as he’d average 20.5 points and 7.1 rebounds per game.    

Numbers and stats are nice, said Stoudemire, but ultimately all he wants to talk about is who the Knicks are facing next (the Bucks) and how he’ll continue to jell with Anthony and Chandler when Woodson puts all three on the floor at the same time.
  
Stoudemire remembers the worries and whispers while he was on the mend that the trio could never play together, so he’s anxious to continue to work his way back into the mix and be a complement to the other stars.    

“I don’t really put much thought into it all, [because] I have confidence in coach Woodson to know what it takes for this team to win,” Stoudemire said of naysayers. “These guys [teammates and coaches] study the game twice as much as anybody and they understand what it takes for us to be successful. … Once the coaching staff presented me with the opportunity to better the team in a new way, I was totally open to it. Everyone has expanded their game for the betterment of the team and wanting to win, so I’m no different. We have the same common denominator of wanting to win a championship.”   

Knicks notes
 
» Jason Kidd made an appearance at Knicks’ practice on Thursday in hopes of getting some reps in before making his supposed return, Friday night against the Bucks. The 39-year-old point guard missed Wednesday’s win over the lowly Magic, but assured he’s playing at home against the surging Bucks.   

Follow Knicks beat writer Tony Williams on Twitter @TBone8.

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1. Jenna Maroney and Mickey Rourke’s sexual history.

Throughout the years, we’ve been introduced to the crazy sexual past of Jenna Maroney and Mickey Rourke. Sporadically throughout the seven seasons we’ve gotten one-lines detailing their tumultuous relationship.

Some of the best lines include, “I’m gonna have to reinvent you. Break you down completely and build you up from scratch. Just like Mickey Rourke did to me sexually.”

Jenna’s entire sexual history was wacky, but her love affair with Mickey Rourke always trumped all other stories.

2.    Kenneth’s weird back story

One of the most perplexing characters of ’30 Rock’ was Kenneth the Ellen Parcell. In the second to last episode of the show, Jack Donaghy appointed him the next president of NBC.

Let’s try to get Kenneth’s history right: His name is Kenneth Ellen Parcell, but his real name is Dick Whitman.When Parcells first came to America they lived in a town called ‘Sex Criminal Boat.’

The Parcells, whose “name is synonymous with honesty” later moved to Stone Mountain, and Kenneth lived on a pig farm. There was a case of too much inbreeding and the pigs turned violent. Yikes.

Kenneth’s favorite subject in school was science, or what everyone else called the Old Testament. He doesn’t drink hot liquids, since “that’s the devil’s temperature.”

3.  Jack Donaghy, one-liners

These quotes do the talking:

“You look terrible, and I once watched you eat oysters while you had a cold.”

“I’m not a creative type like you, with your work sneakers and left-handedness.”

“The grown-up dating world is like your haircut. Sometimes awkward triangles occur.”

4. Tracy Jordan’s antics

Tracy Jordan is hands-down one of the craziest, more uncooperative character on the show. He’s given the audience a number of laughs and reminded us to “live every week like it’s Shark Week.”

He has two sons named George Foreman and Tracy Junior. He spends money like a mad man – remember the golden shoes? – and insists on being the star of the show, which has brought on many feuds with Jenna.

5. All the guest appearances

Matt Damon, Jon Hamm, Oprah (!!!), Julianne Moore, and the list goes on and on and on.

6. Everything about Liz Lemon

Liz Lemon was the heart and soul of ’30 Rock.’ She introduced a style of character to television we had never seen before. Finally, it was OK to be a quirky, hard working independent woman who loved food and didn’t have a model’s body. Liz Lemon, or should we say Tina Fey, paved the road for women such as Amy Poehler (Parks & Recreation) and Lena Dunham (Girls).

Liz Lemon, or as Tracy Jordan called her just ‘LL,’ was a real woman. She loved food. Her skin was oily. She had a messy love life. And, just like most other women, she just does what Oprah tells her to.

We’re going to miss you ’30 Rock.’ Thanks for all the laughs.

Follow Mary Ann Georgantopoulos on Twitter @marygeorgant

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The iconic station has experienced its share of difficulties over the years, most notably when it fell into disrepair and was nearly wrecked to make way for a skyscraper.
But with the help of renovations, it has reemerged as a beloved architectural gem, visited by roughly 750,000 people each day.

“The design is impeccable,” said MTA spokeswoman Marjorie Anders. “The feeling that you get when you walk into the main concourse with its soaring arched ceiling and its magnificent monumental windows and the stars coming down, it has a visceral effect on people.”

Most visitors to the terminal ride the subway or Metro-North trains, check out the 35 eating establishments or 68 shops, take a walking tour or self-guided audio tour, or just pass through to avoid bad weather outside.

Others are content simply to gawk up at the ceiling in wonder, much the same way people did when Grand Central Terminal first opened in 1913.

In fact, shipping tycoon Cornelius Vanderbilt completed the first Grand Central, called Grand Central Depot, even earlier.

“When he built the original one (in 1871), it was far out of town,” said Anthony W. Robins, co-author of “Grand Central Terminal: 100 Years of a New York Landmark.” “The city was concentrated much further south.”

In 1900, the depot was renamed Grand Central Station following a large expansion effort. Two years later, however, a train collision in a smoke-filled tunnel killed 15 and injured 38, prompting demands for electric trains to replace steam-powered ones.

That’s exactly what the station’s owners decided to do. During the construction of Grand Central Terminal from 1903 to 1913, they electrified and buried the tracks, which used to look somewhat like Sunnyside Yards in Queens.

“It really created East Midtown,” Robins said in reference to the new buildings that popped up on site.
People originally flocked there in droves. In addition to the train tracks, a movie theater, an art school, CBS’ television studios and tennis courts could all be found there at various points.

Nonetheless, it eventually began to deteriorate as focus shifted from train to car and air travel.
“It was dangerous, it was filthy and there was a huge homeless population,” Robins said.

In the 1970s, the city – with the help of celebrities like Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis – narrowly averted an attempt to essentially replace the structure with a 55-story skyscraper.
Renovations have since restored its former splendor.

“It’s come through all of these hard times,” Robins said. “In a way it’s mirrored the progress of the city over the last 40 years.”

Grand Central Timeline

-1903: Construction begins on Grand Central Terminal. Three churches, an orphan asylum, 120 houses and a number of other structures are demolished to clear space.

-1913: The station, which cost over $2 billion in today’s dollars, opens to the public at midnight on Feb. 1. The first train leaves 20 minutes later.

-1967: New York’s Landmarks Preservation Commission, which formed soon after the destruction of nearby Pennsylvania Station, designates Grand Central as a landmark.

-1976: Croatian nationalists plant a bomb in a Grand Central locker, which kills a police officer during a botched disarming operation.

-1978: The U.S. Supreme Court upholds Grand Central’s landmark status, thereby thwarting efforts to replace it with a skyscraper.

-1991: Amtrak moves its operations from Grand Central to Penn Station.

-1998: A major renovation to restore the station’s former splendor is (mostly) completed.

Nooks and crannies of Grand Central

-The world’s largest clock made with Tiffany glass, measuring 14 feet in diameter, stands near Grand Central’s 42nd Street entrance next to statues of Minerva, Hercules and Mercury.

-Carved acorns and oak leaves found throughout the terminal are the family symbol of the Vanderbilts, who played a major role in the station’s development.

-A hidden spiral staircase connects the main concourse information booth with a lower level information booth.

-A whispering gallery, located near the Oyster Bar & Restaurant, carries the tiniest bit of sound from one corner of a 50-foot-wide domed chamber across the ceiling to another corner.

The post Grand Central Terminal Turns 100 appeared first on Metro.us.

“Here in Philadelphia, we know that there are a few people – no, make that many people – that get in their cars and travel across those bridges or travel down 95 and over to Delaware or New Jersey to buy their alcohol,” Corbett said. “I want a system that gives our people the flexibility to have their purchases here in Pennsylvania.”

Corbett’s plan would over the next four years allow customers to purchase beer and wine from grocery stores and big box retailers, buy six-packs from convenience stores and obtain takeout bottles of wine from restaurants and taverns.

It would also allow beer distributors that obtain the proper licenses to become “one-stop shops” slinging wine, liquor and six-packs. Distributors can currently only sell beer by the keg or case.

The number of alcohol retailers in the state would double. “This proposal would allow the number of establishments to be naturally driven by the free market, as it is in other states,” Corbett said.

Aside from Utah, Pennsylvania is the only state that controls its own liquor sales.

“Simply put, I am proposing that Pennsylvania join the ranks of those 48 other states and once and for all get out of the business of selling wine and liquor, get out of the business of being a monopoly,” Corbett said.

An estimated $1 billion in revenue from the auction of retail and wholesale liquor licenses, as well as from stepped-up enforcement and penalties of alcohol sale violations included in the plan, will go to block grant to fund public schools and childhood enrichment education.

“It is time for Pennsylvania to lift the rules put in place 75 years ago,” Corbett said. “Because the selling of alcohol is clearly not a core responsibility of government, but education is.”

Reactions

Some stakeholders decried what they say are threats to middle-class unionized jobs and small businesses, as well as a blow to state revenue.

“We all know what will become of our distributors and taverns that rely on beer sales and have adapted in order to compete in a closed system. They will fail and those local businesses that support our little league teams and volunteer firefighter organizations will be lost, replaced by indifferent big box stores run by huge corporations.”

– State Sen. Jim Ferlo

“It’s nice that the governor has acknowledged that he created a school funding crisis, but our students shouldn’t have to count on liquor being available on every corner in order to have properly funded schools. We need to restore the nearly $1 billion in education cuts made by Governor Corbett with an adequate and sustainable funding plan, not with money that doesn’t exist.”

– Pennsylvania State Education Association president Mike Crossey

“The governor is targeting 5,000 family-sustaining jobs and more than $500 million a year in taxes and profits that this valuable, publicly held asset provides.”

– President of United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 1776 Wendell W. Young IV

“The governor’s fixation with privatization now includes a bizarre and unhealthy attempt to tie education achievement to what can only be described as a one-time alcohol funded stimulus package.”

– State Sen. John Yudichak  

Consumers, for the most part, rejoiced over the prospect of the increased convenience and choice the plan would offer.

“PA liquor stores potentially going away? F––k yeah welcome to the rest of America!”

– @robothero

“I’m very excited about Governor Corbett’s plan to privatize the liquor board. The government shouldn’t be the only seller in a free market.”

– @darin22b

“PA bout to have a one stop shop, liquor beer grocery store all in one.”

– @_StackzXo

Though not everyone was so happy.

“Ya know who loves @GovernorCorbett’s cynical plan to sell off our liquor stores? CVS, Walgreens, Rite-Aid and Walmart.”

– @tettemer

The post Gov. Tom Corbett serves up plan to privatize Pa. liquor sales appeared first on Metro.us.

There are two chefs working here — you and the chef known as “Mister Ma.” How does that influence the menu?
Chef Ma is great. He is excellent in cooking all levels of spicy dishes and an expert in Szechuan/Sichuan with the use of many varieties of Chinese spices. I am more an expert in Thai, traditional Chinese food and have been creating a new class of Asian-fusion style dishes.

Is there a famous duo that you can compare yourself to? Batman and Robin? Sonny and Cher?
Not exactly. Batman and Robin are good ones. They are all heroes, who help people. I love them. Chef Ma and I both work well together.

How long have you lived in Philly?
Not long. I lived and worked in New York City for a long time. I came to Philly a couple months prior to the opening of Spice 28. I love to live and work in Philly even though my family is still in New York. I love the environment and the peace here, as it was always very busy in New York.  

Where do you bring visiting family and friends?
I always brought them to see the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall.

How do you like working in Midtown Village?
I like that there are many different kind of restaurants next to Spice 28.

Where do you hang out after work?
El Vez, Sampan, Buddakan and others — to eat!

Where do you go on your day off?
I sometimes go back New York City to be with my family.

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What precautions do you have in place to make sure the “Puppy Bowl” doesn’t  become a “Poopy Bowl”?
Even with all the precautions, there really is no way to prevent a “Poopy Bowl.” These pups only have one thing on their mind — playing a great game and scoring as many touchdowns as possible. If an on-field accident should occur (and they do), we need to act fast to clean up the “foul” before it affects the action on the field. Puppies will be puppies, even when they’re playing football in a mini stadium.

Have there been any rumors of off-field puppy doping?
There is a rigorous medical exam and physical for all the pups. We can’t have them disgrace “Puppy Bowl’s” good name after all. They are aware of the strict consequences if any tests should come back positive. The kittens, on the other hand, are addicted to cat nip, but we go easy on them since the are always nervous before the halftime show. I’m joking. Cat nip is a serious problem for kitties in America.

Baby hedgehogs will be the cheerleaders. Can they get the crowd going?
These are tough hedgehogs with a lot of spirit! Personally, I think they out-pep last year’s Piggy Pep Squad but don’t quote me on that. You’ll see the hedgehogs in tutus with miniature footballs rooting for their favorite pups throughout the game on Sunday.

Who will be MVP?
I feel like Chestnut is a shoo-in for MVP (Most Valuable Puppy). Do you have dibs on anyone?
Chestnut definitely plays a great game. That little pup doesn’t stop for anything! Personally, I’m a big fan of Oscar, a 15-week-old Dachshund who’s favorite dish is weiner schnitzel. I would keep an eye on him if I were you.

The post The Word: Meet ‘Puppy Bowl’ referee Dan Schachner appeared first on Metro.us.

The average cost of a seat will be roughly $93, which ranks 11th in the NFL and remains the lowest in the NFC East. The average increase is up about $10 from 2012.

The Eagles sent season-ticket holders invoices Thursday, complete with a letter from team president Don Smolenski.

“We have made some dramatic changes this offseason, including the hiring of coach Chip Kelly. But one thing that hasn’t changed — and coach Kelly appreciates this — is that the passion [the fans] display and the support [the fans] provide with [their] loyalty to [the] Eagles makes this a special place to play football,” wrote Smolenski. “We are also embarking on a two-year stadium improvement plan at Lincoln Financial Field focused on enhancing the game-day experience.”

This marks the first time since 2009 that the Eagles have increased ticket prices.

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CEO of the 2014 NY/NJ Super Bowl Host Committee Alfred F. Kelly, Jr. said things are moving forward as he observes this year’s game.

“There’s no real available game plan, it’s learning on the fly and taking what you can from the other cities that have done it. [We are] really taking advantage of the experience of the NFL that have done their 47th Super Bowl,” Kelly said. “I think our focus is shifting now. We spent a lot of last year exploring all the possibilities and trying to create as many options and exploring as many avenues of things we can do, places we can hold events.”

Now a little more than a year out, the thought process has shifted from high-level planning to a much more detailed stage.

Approximately 16 members of Kelly’s staff are in town for the Super Bowl and there is a large contingent of government partners and sponsors who will roll into New Orleans for the event by this weekend. Included in this number are members of the NYPD, members of the governor’s office in New Jersey and the mayor’s office in New York City. Last year’s contingent that traveled to Indianapolis, Ind. for the Super Bowl was 10 individuals.

“I think last year, we were No. 1 meeting some people who were going to be critical partners for the first time. I’ve been to Super Bowls before but I attended that one in a very different way, looking at every little detail of every event I went to but I think at that point in time, we were in observing mode, taking in as much as we could but probably not yet smart enough to ask the detailed questions to help us in our mode,” Kelly said. “Down in New Orleans, we come with a much cleaner eye in terms of the detailed aspects of this. We now have a pretty good idea of the events and a decent amount about the higher level. Now we’re trying to learn more about the details, the idiosyncrasies. [We are] asking people, working on the things what went wrong, what they did not anticipate [and] what should we be thinking.

“We’re more experienced, we know what’s down here [and] what we have to learn about. I think we’re dividing and conquering much better in New Orleans than we did in Indianapolis. We have more feet on the ground and we’re covering a lot more territory. We’re taking advantage that we have 35 sets of eyes in the city and making sure we literally cover everything.”

Follow Jets beat writer Kristian Dyer on Twitter @KristianRDyer for all your offseason news.

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“Happy hour” will not be coming to Massachusetts.

After a series of public hearings held throughout the state last year that sought input on a possible change to the state’s “happy hour” regulations to prevent “unfair competition” from future casinos, the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission issued its final report today.

The commission cited concerns over public safety as one reason why they were not recommending bringing back “happy hour.”

“The record of comments shows a clear and convincing concern that any change to the Happy Hour Regulation will have a negative impact on the public safety in the Commonwealth,” the commission wrote in its report.

When the expanded gambling bill was passed, it allowed for free drinks to be offered to patrons of the gaming establishment. The law also required the ABCC to examine whether that was negatively impact restaurants and bars who were prohibited from doing so. Commission members wrote that they found no basis for unfair competition.

“The Commission has found no factual basis and no basis compelled by applicable law to amend (the Happy Hour Regulation) in order to protect on-premises alcoholic beverages Licensees from unfair competition with proposed gaming establishments,” the report said.

During a hearing on the issue in August, most of the restaurant and bar owners in attendance opposed reinstating “happy hour” citing concerns about over consumption and a potential increase in new, inexperienced establishments seeking to cash in on it.

State Treasurer Steve Grossman, who oversees the ABCC, said he strongly supports the commission’s findings.

“Public safety was a key factor in conducting this review, and the overwhelming sentiment is that scaling back the Happy Hour Regulation would compromise the lives and well-being of the residents of the Commonwealth,” he said in a statement. “The Regulation is supported by bar and tavern owners, the law enforcement community, and public safety officials, who all believe that it has played a substantial part in preventing unthinkable tragedies.”

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When Flacco committed to Pittsburgh in late December of his senior year at Audobon High School, southeast of Camden, N.J., he wasn’t a big-name recruit.

After transferring to Delaware, he led the Blue Hens to the playoffs twice and the championship game in 2007, Flacco began preparing for the NFL Draft with former Giants quarterback Scott Brunner at TEST Football Academy in central New Jersey. Flacco’s successful postseason hasn’t been a surprise to Brunner.

“Joe was an extremely talented quarterback when he came to us out of college,” Brunner said. “Like most guys preparing for the NFL they rarely need a major overhaul, but rather modifications to their technique. Specifically we focused a lot on ball handling and footwork. Many of the drills we used were devised to help him improve his movement skills in the pocket and protecting the ball from the fierce pass rushes he would face. Additionally we worked on helping him understand when to escape the pocket and extend the play.”

Those skills have helped extend the Ravens season from the wild-card round of the playoffs to what could well become the franchise’s second Super Bowl victory. Flacco has been masterful, enjoying one of the best postseasons in NFL history.

Flacco has thrown for 853 yards this postseason with eight touchdowns and no interceptions. More than anything, it is his calm, unflappable style that is translating to wins.

Brunner, who like Flacco played his college ball at Delaware, said the straight-faced Flacco is, “contrary to popular belief, a fun guy to be around.”

“One of the other things we discussed was his personality. There were many who thought he needed to show a more fiery personality,” Brunner said. “I knew that if he tried to be something he wasn’t his teammates would see right through that act. … I think the leadership torch of the Ravens is now being passed to Joe.”

Follow Jets beat writer Kristian Dyer on Twitter @KristianRDyer.

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The afternoon shooting occurred outside Price Middle School in Atlanta, Georgia. Neither the wounded student nor the suspected shooter were identified by authorities.

The school was placed on lockdown.

Atlanta Police Department spokesman Carlos Campos said the gunshot victim was “alert, conscious and breathing” when he was taken to a local hospital.

“Everything is secure,” Campos told reporters at the scene.

A fire department spokeswoman said a teacher had suffered minor injuries during the incident and was treated at the scene.

Atlanta Public Schools Superintendent Erroll Davis said a news conference had been scheduled for 4 p.m. EST to discuss the incident. “All other students are safe,” Davis said in a statement.

A national debate has raged over gun control in the United States since the shooting deaths of 20 children and six adults at a Connecticut elementary school in December.

The post Teenaged student wounded in Atlanta school shooting appeared first on Metro.us.

Disclaimer: This Metro reporter doesn’t know too much (read: anything) about video games. Even so, it’s pretty cool that World of Warcraft players have raised more than $2.3 million for Hurricane Sandy victims.

In December, the video game plays were able to virtually adopt the “Cinder Kitten” for $10. The fundraising went through December 31, 2012 and 100 percent of the funds went to help victims of the disaster, which hit the Northeast at the end of October.

Blizzard, the company behind multi-player online role-playing game, said the money will go toward supporting the American Red Cross’ Sandy relief efforts in providing shelter, food, emotional support, and other assistance to the victims.

Follow Mary Ann Georgantopoulos on Twitter @marygeorgant

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Kaepernick in the spotlight
Sunday will be Colin Kaepernick’s tenth start in the NFL, after replacing starter Alex Smith earlier this season, but he has played like a seasoned veteran, especially in the playoffs. Kaepernick’s best game came in the divisional round against Green Bay where he threw for 263 yards and two touchdowns, while also rushing for 181 yards and a pair of TDs.
For a player just two years removed from college ball out of Nevada, he has shown tremendous composure, especially in the NFC title game, rallying his team back from a 17-0 deficit. 

 
Can Ravens offense keep it up?
After losing four of its last five regular season games, Baltimore has hit its offensive stride in the playoffs. The Ravens have scored 24, 35 and 28 points in each of their playoff games, including 35 against Denver and 28 against New England.

Quarterback Joe Flacco has played incredibly well in each of the three games, besting quarterbacks Andrew Luck, Peyton Manning and Tom Brady in the wins. He has thrown eight touchdowns, and zero interceptions in the three playoff games.

For the Ravens to have any chance of winning Sunday, Flacco will need to be on his game like he has throughout the postseason.

 
Ray Lewis’ last game
The Super Bowl will be Lewis’ final game in the NFL as he announced on Jan. 2 that he planned to retire from football whenever the Ravens season would come to an end.

But the Ravens linebacker has garnered the most headlines by a player this week for different reasons. 
A Sports Illustrated report said this week that the linebacker used treatments, including deer-antler spray which contains a substance (IGF-1) banned by the NFL, to recover from a triceps injury earlier this season. Lewis has denied the report on multiple occasions.

Baltimore has fed off of Lewis and his emotions this postseason knowing it is his last hurrah – can the trend continue and will the Ravens be able to send their star linebacker out on top?

A look at the NFL through the eyes of the stat experts at ColdHardFootballFacts.com. 
 
Joe Flacco NFL’s Reigning Big-Game Quarterback
Baltimore’s Joe Flacco said that he was the No. 1 QB in football at the start of the season. He’s making his case with another deadly playoff run. He’s the top-rated passer in the 2012 playoffs (8 TD, 0 INT, 114.7 rating) and has thrown 15 TD against just 2 INT over the last three postseasons. Here are his game-by-game passer ratings in those seven outings:
 
2010 vs. Chiefs – 115.4
2010 vs. Steelers – 61.1
2011 vs. Texans – 97.1
2011 vs. Patriots – 95.4
2012 vs. Colts – 125.6
2012 vs. Broncos – 116.2
2012 vs. Patriots – 106.2

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The Recording Academy said on Thursday that the hour-long special entitled “The Grammys Will Go On: A Death in the Family” will air on February 9, the day before the 2013 Grammy Awards ceremony in Los Angeles.

Houston, who sold hundreds of millions of records and scored the mega hits “I Will Always Love You” and “I Wanna Dance with Somebody,” drowned in a bathtub at a Beverly Hills hotel room on February 11 2012 – the eve of last year’s Grammy Awards show.

Houston’s unexpected death at age 48 cast a shadow over the event, which quickly changed its program to pay homage to the soaring voice that had dominated the Grammys in decades past.

Singer and actress Jennifer Hudson performed a medley of Houston’s hits at last year’s Grammys, and rapper and host LL Cool J opened the show with a prayer.

The TV special on broadcaster CBS features rehearsals and interviews with artists – including Hudson, Bruce Springsteen and Taylor Swift – and the show’s producers in the hours before and after Houston’s death.

The Recording Academy produces the annual Grammy awards.

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While we can see that naive, religious Jack (Patch Darragh) really loves roller derby, his love for his girlfriend Aurora, lost but not forgotten when he follows his dream of glory in the rink, is a matter of faith. It’s something we’re told but never shown. His enigmatic confessor, Father Kosciusko (Todd Weeks), sometimes pontificating, sometimes down-to-earth, never seems genuine. Jack’s loutish teammates are stereotypes, as is oily Bert Fineberg (Greg Stuhr), a television announcer stuck with a recurring, tired joke about his speechless cardboard sidekick’s silence.

The one glorious exception to the play’s malaise is Jeanine Serralles as slutty Lindy,
who seduces Jack. Recently out of a mental hospital and prone to violence if she
doesn’t take her pills, she manages to be both over-the-top and firmly grounded at the same time. The other women (Keira Naughton and Kate Rigg in a series of roles) also hold their own. But “The Jammer” skates around and around, never going anywhere.

If you go

‘The Jammer’
Through Feb. 10
Atlantic Stage 2,
330 W. 16th Street
$45, www.atlantictheater.org

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Set in 1979 Philadelphia, the flimsy plot (which remains largely true to the film) is rife with kitschy humor and cultural references. The production captures the essence of the disco era with its costumes and hair, while the ensemble nails the mannerisms and dance moves of the time.

While the audience roars at a range of religious jokes, the humor is decidedly Catholic. It’s easy to spot those who weren’t raised Catholic: They’re not laughing at the inside humor and malapropisms like prostitute instead of postulant. They are, however, still able to enjoy this fun though somewhat forgettable musical.

As much as you’ll laugh at the nuns getting funky, shake your groove thing from your seat and applaud enthusiastically at curtain call, “Sister Act” isn’t something you’ll be talking about for long. Yes, it’s a Tony-nominated Broadway musical, but it’s also wholesome fluff where the wisecracks and the wise guys lack cynicism and substance.

Ta’Rea Campbell leads a vocally strong ensemble as lounge-singer-turned-nun Deloris Van Cartier while Lael Van Keuren shines as awkward, young Sister Mary Robert. If you’re old enough to remember Rerun, you’ll certainly enjoy Charles Barksdale’s delightful turn as TJ. 

‘Sister Act’
Tonight through Feb. 3
Boston Opera House
539 Washington St., Boston
$43-$143, 800-982-2787
www.broadwayinboston.com

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