Hey George:

I recently recalled a reference to a project in NYC that would re-invent the great Penn Station -- sort of. As you know, in 1966 to original had been knocked down, in part to help the flagging revenues of Penn Central by selling the "air space" above the station.

And that is how we got the modern Madison Square Garden... and if I am not mistaken, ABC's headquarters.

Talk was of taking the post office building, the next block over and designed by the same architects, and rebuilding that into the new Penn Gateway.

Did this project ever happen? Is it still talk? Is it a pipe dream that would never, in the wildest fantasy, ever happen?

Derek

Thank you for asking. The answer is: yes, the project is still on. But, it's proceeding slowly. Right now, the federal government has pumped several million dollars into funding the project. It would house Amtrak, which would subsidize a portion of the project. It'll likely be ten years before the historic post office is renovated and at a cost of between 500 and 800 million dollars. You can check out the architect's plans at http://www.archcenter.ru/eng/council/PennStation/default.asp

GEORGE, THE SINGER

Greetings George!

Happy Holidays - or if I may be Politically INCORRECT - MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY HEALTHY 2005! I greatly enjoy your work - you have an excellent speaking voice - definitely a rich baritone. By any chance - did you ever sing professionally? I agree with many of your Pet Peeves - we have to take this in stride, otherwise We'd go BANANAS!

God Bless,

Bill Mentsas

Did I ever sing professionally? you have got to be kidding. No, never!

PET PEEVES

Or how about when someone says 'like' 15 times when trying to make a point? I'm a freshman in college and you'd think people would have learned enough words by now in order to convey a thought properly. Instead, I sit in English class and try to keep count of how many 'likes' one person can say.

By the way, I love listening to you guys in the morning. I've actually been a fan since I was 15 when Curtis and Kuby first took the morning slot. You do an excellent job with the news, I feel ready to go once I get the day's headlines.

Thanks a bunch George

Sheri

COMPLAINTS!

"I'm Jawwwge Weber"

Who cares?

WEBER WHACKERS

So what is a Weber Whacker?

Myrna

Answer: A Weber Whacker was a short lived promotional toy produced by KOA Radio in Denver. It featured my face on a wooden paddle. A small rubber ball is attached to an elastic string. With the proper hand motion you can smack the rubber ball against the wide section of the paddle and when angry you can essentially "whack me."

THE OLD NEIGHBORHOOD

Dear George:

HI, I WAS WONDERING IF THE RED ROOM IS CLOSING OR HAD BEEN SOLD? I USED TO GO THERE WITH MY PALS AND HAD ALOT OF FUN! I KNOW YOU WROTE ABOUT BEING THERE A FEW TIMES, WHICH IS WHY I AM CURIOUS? I LOVE YOUR COLUMN, TOO.

SINCERELY,
CARROLL GARDENS LIFER

ANSWER: yes, the Red Room has closed. The owner of the building is not a big fan of bars and will likely re-open the bar as something else.

DOGS AND DEATH

Dear George:

I just finished listening to your 9-11-01 sound bites. I still cry like a baby each time I relive that day. Thank you for posting them - it is something that should always be available so we never, ever forget!

I'm sorry for the loss of Romer. You are a brave soul to have another pal Noodles. I lost my 2 pups, Miss Lisa and Harry Mudd 3 years ago this January 20, 2005. I still can't get close to another pup. Sure wish I could. In the mean time - I'm the soft hearted soul who has 7 cats of my own plus 4 strays! Guess it's a good thing I live alone - It's not easy finding someone who can tolerate so many "kids". Thank you for your website.

Regina Bloomer

JUNK MAIL

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A LOVE FOR DOGS

George,

I know you have a dachshund and I wondered if you could give a bit of radio time to the Dachshund Rescue of North America (DRNA). Our organization rescues doxies from shelters, owner surrenders, Etc. and then pays to have any vet work done (even extensive work), fosters them in our homes and then finds forever homes for them. We rescue the young, the seniors, the sick, the paralyzed, the ones from puppy mills that have never felt grass beneath their feet, as well as those who were given up by loving owners who can no longer care for them. George, we also provide transportation for these dogs, whether going to a foster home or to their forever homes. It would be wonderful to have you give this non-profit organization a boost for two reasons; 1) It would educate people about the joys of adopting a dog, rather than buying a puppy, and 2) it would introduce people to our organization and the work we do, as volunteers, to find homes for the hundreds of dogs waiting for a family of their own. I hope you'll consider this idea because it's worthy of some air time on WABC Talk Radio. Regards to you and Noodle. Barbara Parigoris, Parsippany, NJ P.S. I have seven mini doxies in my home - five are mine and three are fosters. One is totally blind and one came to me paralyzed, but after surgery is now walking again!

MORE DOG LOVIN

Dear George:

It is a pleasure to listen to you in the morning, you are better than my first cup of coffee .I am a dog lover too. she is the kindest and sweetest pit bull you ever can know. she is a watch dog too. When people come to the house, she watches them come and she watches them go, from her post at the sofa. Keep up the good work.

Ana

A BIG FAN

Dear George:

It's a great pleasure to hear your voice each day that I venture to work. I live in Easton, Pa. and I have been traveling to East Hanover, NJ for over twenty years. This is the first time I ever wrote to a news anchor man. Your voice is made for the airways. I enjoy listening to you. I just review your bio and I could not believe that you worked at WAEB in Allentown. I sometimes listen to Bobby Gunther Walsh his program is good also. Anyway just a short note to say keep up the great work. You make WABC the flagship station worth its name.

Regards,

Brent