Novelist Maura Stone is Honored by National Indie Excellence Awards

The Indie Excellence Awards are reserved for the “best of the best” in books published in various genres. The criteria for recognition are stringent and include overall excellence in presentation. This award celebrates the highest achievements in independent press and self-publishing, a sector of the industry that has grown exponentially in recent years.

Madoff’s booze fetches $41,530 for victims

Bernie Madoff’s extensive collection of wines and liquor was auctioned off yesterday for nearly twice its estimated value even though much of the stockpile was considered not considered top shelf.

Uchitel PI

Former Tiger Woods former number one mistress Rachel Uchitel will once again be in front of the camera this time in a new reality series on her new career as a private investigator.

Hayden Christensen’s “Royal Pains” lawsuit losses its bout with federal judge

“Star Wars” actor Hayden Christensen failed to prevail in court when a judge tossed out his suit against the USA Network. Christensen and his older brother, Tove, sued the NBC subsidiary last year claiming that it ripped off their proposal for a TV series about a doctor who makes house calls to the rich and famous.

Meredith Vieira announces she’s leaving ‘Today’

Meredith Vieira announced Monday that she is leaving NBC’s “Today” show next month to spend more time with her family, and Ann Curry will replace her.

Bad tippers in Brooklyn Beware !

He had had enough .So the tech savvy delivery man launched a Web site called “15 Percent” (15percent.tumblr.com), where he has posts receipts, names and addresses in an attempt to “out” the neighborhood’s worst tippers or cheap skates.

Judge denies doggy charities’ grab for larger chunk of Helmsley foundation money

Doggy charities who were hoping a judge would help them take a bigger bite out of Leona Helmsley’s multi-billion dollar foundation were barking up the wrong tree.A Manhattan judge has denied a bid by the ASPCA, the Humane Society and other assorted animal groups to get a much larger chunk of the Helmsley foundation’s billions.

Actress Kate Hudson engaged to British rocker Matthew Bellamy

Actress Kate Hudson announced Wednesday on the “Today Show” she is engaged to British rocker Matthew Bellamy, with whom she is also expecting a child.

Theodora Richards walks in SoHo convent graffiti case

Theodora Richards ducked jail time for graffiti-writing on a SoHo nunnery and possessing a stash of illegal pills and pot.Richards grabbed a no-jail deal but she might have to pick up some trash at a local park.

Robin Williams pulled over by “bike police”

Comedian Robin Williams gets pulled over by the bike police for biking on NY sidewalk. It seems no one is safe from the dreaded bike police even comedian Robin Williams got stopped by cops when he’s riding a bike on a New York sidewalk, it was no laughing matter.