City Hall newsaper is reporting that, despite midterm elections this week that saw a wave of Republican victories around the state and a series of setbacks for gay marriage around the country, supporters of same-sex marriage say they are closer than ever to achieving passage. According to City Hall’s most recent count, 21 Democratic Senators have expressed that they are in favor of passage, however several of those have said they would prefer it if a bill did not come to the floor right now. Read the full story here.

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When Jackie Roman was asked to contribute artwork to the Art That Rocks exhibition being held by 303 Grand this Friday, the rock photographer knew she had the perfect image: a photo she snapped last spring of Ex Humans guitarist Josh Martin, cigarette in hand, licking his guitar case while running down Grand Street late to a gig at Trash.

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Not to get all Shakespearean on you, but: “Would Brooklyn Brewery beer brewed anywhere but Williamsburg smell as hoppy? Probably. But thankfully we won’t have to find out anytime soon. The brewery announced it’s staying put after successfully negotiating a new 15-year lease for its current digs.

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Bloomberg squeaked by with a narrow victory, and according to some papers, people weren't all that excited to vote in the first place. Well, the reporters over at City Hall newspaper have decided to move and start predicting what we might be seeing in 1,462 days, when voters return to the polls once again. Read the full story here.

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This Halloween weekend, getting dressed up as "Sexy Nurse No. 22" shouldn't be your only option for getting some good treats. The New York Chocolate Show continues through Sunday and, after buying your Golden Ticket, you can fill your treat bag with some of the best chocolates from around the world and in the city.

Of the local chocolate makers, Roni Sue's Pig Candy (chocolate-covered bacon, which we featured in last year's gift guide) and new chile-themed chocolate truffles are amazingly good combinations, while Fika's Milk Chocolate with Baileys melts in your mouth in a perfect balance of creamy smoothness and whiskey undertones. Spicy chocolates are quite popular right now, and Pure Dark's rounds are exceptionally smooth with a not-so-subtle kick and finish, while Jacques Torres' Wicked cocoa is a perfect gift for staying warm in the winter. After about the 15th sample, portion control becomes a bit more important, and the Sweet Riot girls have chocolate covered cocoa nibs that are crunchy and rich, and come in great little tins. Finally, the chocolate bars of Madecasse are the best dark bars around, with a great fruity depth, especially the 67% bar. Even better, their company is the first to produce the chocolate IN Madagascar(!), keeping the profits with the local community. Nothing like virtue and chocolate in one delicious package.

Then there are the purveyors that don't have local shops. By going to the chocolate show, you get to try chocolates that otherwise have to be cold shipped here. As you buy product, you totally try to justify the costs, since it's much cheaper than flying to Italy, California and Florida just to get your chocolate fix. Top picks for justifying the ticket price of the show: Jer's Peanut Butter Cara Mello bars are perfect for candy bar lovers who need to step up to the real stuff with organic peanut butter, and Christopher Michael's truffle flavors are combinations like spicy pomegranate with lime, which will delight all sections of your taste buds—except the umami.

Those are just a few of the over 50 vendors and my personal favorites. The average American eats 10 pounds of chocolate a year. It's time to make sure that it's good chocolate.

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Porn icon Robin Byrd has cast her vote for Senator Chuck Schumer. The star of the classic adult-film Debbie Does Dallas and host of the famous The Robin Byrd Show recently donated $500 at an event for the sitting New York Senator.

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Take a long drag of your Warm Mocha Mint Cigar - it might be the last you buy in the city. Mayor Michael Bloomberg signed the ban on flavored tobacco into law yesterday. But before you hyperventilate, read the fine print: the ban doesn’t include clove or menthol cigarettes or even flavored hookah.

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The innovators behind Ace Hotel know nothing says full service like a good gay porn selection, which is why the hipster hotel turned to BUTT magazine to curate its new gay porn on demand service, and the editors at BUTT were more than happy to put their talents as connoisseurs of vintage porn to use.

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As the roller derby season winds down, interest in the sport has just sparked. The crowd at Saturday’s double-header game was chock full of newbies, tweens, and kids. You could just see images of Ellen Page in their young, innocent eyes. While the games weren’t nearly as violent as the ones in “Whip It,” the visiting team, Sockit Wenches, gave our gals a run for the money and went home with the prize.

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Kids these days and their weird outfits! Girls are running around thinking leggings are an acceptable substitute for pants. Guys let their pants hang down so low that everyone has to see their underwear. Guys wear skirts that go way to far above the knees, leaving absolutely nothing to the imagination... Wait a minute!

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