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Streets Of Gold If the streets of Reno, Nevada are paved with gold, that’s good news for Stanford University and the University of California. Because it turns out that the colleges probably own them. The discovery came out of a lawsuit between Reno and some local casinos that had built bridges over the city streets. Reno sought payment for use of the air rights above the streets. But the lawyers discovered that when railroad magnate Charles Crocker of the Central Pacific Railroad laid out Reno, he sold the land between the streets, but apparently not the streets themselves. That may mean that the streets belong to the institutions to which he left his fortune — Stanford and the U. of California. Stanford apparently owns 25 percent of the city’s streets, while California’s public university system owns 50 percent. It’s unclear who owns the rest. The colleges’ rights as owners of public streets are also unclear. When the ownership problem was discovered, Reno officials expected the universities to give the streets to the city. But both universities have demurred, saying that they have a duty to not give away anything of value. It seems that the universities have taken the same approach as many of the casinos that their streets in Reno lead to. Family Fun: Plastic Surgery? Talk about joint ventures. There are so many things couples can do to get a sense of togetherness: play tennis, see a show, have plastic surgery. Wait a second. According to Dr. Robert Kraft, billed as a "prominent NY plastic and reconstructive surgeon," team cosmetic surgery is "the vacation that lasts 15 years." "Most important, however," Kraft noted, "is the ‘lift’ or sense of renewal joint cosmetic surgery can provide in a relationship." So, what’s hot for couples in their 30’s, 40’s 50’s and beyond? In the 30’s, both male and female partner’s: eyelid and eye area surgeries and liposuction. Those in their 40’s go a bit farther and may opt for a full facelift. For couples aged 50 and beyond, combo procedures like a facelift and laser skin resurfacing are hot. You can hear the bedtime banter now, "Honey, do you think we should go to Australia next year or have dual tummy tucks?" Shots Echo From Bronx In "Bonfire of the Vanities," Tom Wolfe’s late ’80s magnum opus, the Bronx was the site for the undoing of the "Master of the Universe" main character. Fast forward to 2000, and it appears that the return of the "Wild West" in da Bronx may lead to the undoing of a real-life "Master of the Universe," Rudolph Giuliani. The City’s top crime fighter, who hopes his seven-year reign in bringing down felonies will vault him to the Senate, is looking at a serious backlash. According to this year’s soaring homicide rate, murders in the Bronx are up about 80% so far and shootings up 38%, while gun arrests are down 1.7%. These numbers are part of a general trend upwards citywide that has some criminologists speculating that the crime reductions in NY may be reversing their seven-year decline. Just in time to give Hillary ammo in her upcoming showdown with Rudy. A number of commanders in the Bronx told the News last week that some of the crime increase can be attributed to low morale and less aggressive policing among street cops in the aftermath of the controversial Amadou Diallo case. The police brass also said that crucial manpower has been drained away from enforcement efforts to police a large increase in demonstrations against police brutality. Watch your back, Rudy. He who lives by the stat, sometimes dies by the stat. Show Us The Money With a little over seven months left before the day of decision in the Rudy-Hillary race, Hizzoner’s still leading in the polls and the crucial fundraising race. In 1999, the Mayor’s campaign raised $11.8 million from 49 states around the U.S. Hillary raised $8.1 million from 46 states. According to the DC-based Center for Responsive Politics, the biggest contributors to Rudy came from the financial services sector and from real estate developers. Hillary’s biggest backers were lawyers and entertainment industry moguls. As usual, the zip code with the most lucrative donors for both candidates is 10021 on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. And although federal regulations stipulate that the filings of candidates include the occupation and employer of each donor of $200 or more, 21% of Rudy’s donors were listed with no occupational information, compared with only 5% for Hillary and 10% for GOP presidential candidate George W. Bush. So, Sue Me! If you think New Yorkers are the most litigious breed in the country because of the high percentage of lawyers lurking in our midst, you are out of order. According to the Court Statistics Project, a joint effort of the National Center for State Courts and other Justice groups, the most lawsuit loving region in the country is one noted for it plethora of pols and pleabargainers. The District of Columbia ranked first for civil court filings per 100,000 population in 1997, followed by Maryland, Virginia, New Jersey and New York trailing at fifth. Those faint of heart who wish to stay out of the fray should consider moving to Mississippi. The Magnolia State had the lowest number of lawsuits and other civil court filings in the survey.
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