It’s a hit.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency has released a list of its top 50 partners in consuming renewable energy and in a bit of a shocker, New York University snuck in at number twenty-six. Is that higher or lower than our U.S. News and World Report ranking?

According to the EPA, “Purchase figures are based on annualized Partner contract amounts (kilowatt-hours),” and that sort of logic puts Intel, Pepsi and Kohl’s in the top 3, but NYU’s use of wind power receives a nice touch of recognition. According to the list, green power actually accounts for 100% of our total purchased electricity use. Who knew?

Check out the entire list here.

[via The Huffington Post]

If you’re studying abroad, you’ll probably get mugged, but NYU won’t tell anyone.

Alvin Chang is graduating; WSN to fold without him.

The patron saint of thinking man’s radio, Ira Glass, smiled and waved as a too-long applause rattled the theater as if it were canned for Jay Leno. Sitting at his carefully arranged station—complete with a microphone, soundboard and a machine to cue the music—Glass introduced the evening, matching the glee of the audience with his exuberant tone, by telling the story of Putnam County, Florida. You see, in Putnam, if you’re caught shoplifting, a particularly Old Testament judge orders that you go back to the establishment you robbed and carry a sign outside that reads, “I stole from a local store.” A playful cartoon accompanied Glass’ tale—of course, not possible in a radio-only broadcast—and the night’s theme was established: “Return to the Scene of the Crime.”

Act One brought comedian Mike Birbiglia front and center, sporting a button-down and a black hoodie, to tell his story, titled “DU-Whyyy?!“about being T-boned by a drunk driver. Each punchline, largely dependent on his deadpan delivery, was received with hearty approval by the audience, especially the guy directly behind me who had without a doubt the worst laugh in the history of humanity. It was the kind of obnoxious cackle that stifled my own laughs, the pain in my ears eclipsing the cerebral tickle. Still, Eli Wiesel jokes always land and an emotional payoff was unexpected but rewarding.

Act Two, “Cry Me A River,” was a touching little Chris Ware cartoon about a bird mouse who falls in love with a cat head, all set to the sweet sounds of Andrew Bird’s Bowl of Fire’s “Eugene.” Folks at 430 theaters around the country, tuning in for the live broadcast, also had the pleasure of viewing the short which will be available online at the show’s website.

The all-around adorable This American Life favorite Starlee Kine strutted out in a pink dress and black high-heels and tights for Act Three, “Whack-a-Mom,” about the therapy required by her sheltered childhood and tumultuous young adult life. Her piece focused on her eight day stay at the self-help retreat organized by the Hoffman Institute and like all good TAL contributors, her squeaky, idiosyncratic voice pulled us all gladly into her head.

During a break in the show, Glass introduced an arresting clip from the This American Life television show, airing the enticing first two minutes of the second season’s finale, titled “John Smith,” which aired on Showtime. I’d wager that the cheap plug worked and every person in that theater, if they haven’t already, will now seek out the TV version of their favorite radio show.

My most anticipated moment—Dan Savage’s segment—was up next and his Act Four story, “Our Man of Perpetual Sorrow,” was everything I could have hoped for and then some. The renowned sex columnist and author told the story of his Catholic gradeschool and time as an altar boy, but was quick to point out that, no, the story was not going there. Instead, he detailed his personal journey from inundated schoolboy to nonbeliever in his usual matter-of-fact tone with his typically cutting observations. He spoke mainly about his relationship with his mother and her religious beliefs and told of his own coming out, upon which his mother immediately called her priest. When she explained to her religious guide her alarming new predicament as the mother of a gay child, the priest proceeded to come out to her himself. I won’t give away any more, but will note that Mr. Savage got choked up on at least four occasions and I wasn’t the only one with tears on my sleeve by the time he was finished. After, a touching clip of Ira, Dan and their mothers at the very first live broadcast of This American Life—seven years ago from a Chicago bar—served as yet another highlight of the night.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer creator Joss Whedon performed a song on piano for Act Five, “Return to the Scene of the Scene.” The composition came from Whedon’s highly successful recent project, Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog. Upon the release of the Neil Patrick Harris internet vehicle on DVD, Whedon recorded an entire director’s commentary in musical style and performed a selection from that which mocked his fans for overdetermining his work. Though not a Whedon fan myself, I could appreciate the importance of the seminal director’s first ever musical performance.

I think it’s a common feeling among This American Life fans that our heroes can do no wrong. But since I was a child my father has always said to me, “I’ll trust you until you give me a reason not to,” and it’s that sort of logic that builds a relationship between a brand of media and its fans like the one This American Life enjoys. Fact is, they have never wronged us before. Last night was no different and only enhanced the adoration I have for everyone involved. If ever you’ve trusted a recommendation, listen to last night’s show when it airs on the weekend of May 1st or catch the theatore encores on May 7th. All of the deails are here—don’t sleep on it.

A little internet digging by some commenters found that the two might really be separate people, but still close friends who attended NYU together. Whatever the case, their mutual influence on one another is undeniable. Now, in a promotional push for his new literary press Muumuu House, Lin’s ‘people’ have sent out an email press release plugging two upcoming books due out this year, but the real prize for readers is this newly published Gmail Chat between Tao Lin and Carles. Get a few giggles after the jump.

10.03.08 GMAIL CHAT
TAO LIN & CARLES

The event is scheduled for May 1st, so pray for nice weather. Joining the Rabbits will be appropriately independent acts Motel Motel, Golden Triangle, Teengirl Fantasy, and We Are The Arm, sharing sets that last from noon until 4 p.m.

I guess you could chalk it up to space restrictions, but why is it that NYU does not orchestrate a school-uniting, drugged out weekend party marathon like most universities’ Spring Fling? I know, I know—”We don’t have a campus or school spirit!”—but is our lack of you have to be there events a symptom or a cause?

[via Brooklyn Vegan]

Hey kids, here’s your future! Recent Steinhardt studio art grad Anaelle Attias is curating a new group show for twenty-one emerging artists called Splinters and Logs, opening tomorrow in Bushwick. Figures, right?

All kidding aside, the event sounds wonderful and features a horde of young artists looking to make a splash. “We also made it a point of having a wide range of prices, to suit varying pockets, and so that even college students can have the opportunity to invest in some artwork made by emerging artists,” said Attias. Hopefully they’ve also invested in a wide range of wines for the opening. The Facebook event is here and the details are after the jump.

Opening Reception
April 23, 2009
6-10PM

Regular Hours:
April 27-May 7
12-8PM Monday-Thursday

1027 Grand Street (3 blocks from Grand Street stop on L train)
4th Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11211

Tel. 917.207.8010
917.887.1085

Today, from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. you can check out the Tribeca location (270 Greenwich Street) and from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. hit up Bowery (95 East Houston St.).Tomorrow the goods are at Whole Foods Union Square (4 Union Square South ) from 12:30 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. Basically, you can gain about 9 pounds for free over the span of two days.

As far as the actual “cause,” both Greenfield and Walls will be speaking at NYU this evening as part of the “Feed Your Conscience” Speaker Series. According to the press release there will be “inspirational stories,” a Q & A, and most importantly, more free ice cream and brownies. They’re also hitting Columbia and details are after the jump.

NEW YORK UNIVERSITY – STERN SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

April 22nd

5:30-8:30 p.m.

44 West Fourth Street, Kaufman Management Center, 5-50

COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY

April 23rd

12:30-2:00 p.m.

Columbia Business School

Uris Hall, Room 317

This American Life

Those in the know have already secured their pricey $50 tickets, which sold out quickly after going on sale, but just because you’re not in the room with all of your favorite radio personalities doesn’t mean you have to miss the festivities. Thursday night’s show will be filmed in high definition and broadcasted live at movie theaters around the city and the country. The specifics are here and include details on the encore May 7th showings. We’ll have a review for you here on Local tomorrow, but if this is just about your crush on Mr. Black-Rimmed Glass(es), we’ve listed two more appearances after the jump.

Via the TAL Website:

“On April 28th, Ira interviews his cousin, the composer Philip Glass, onstage at a fundraiser for St Ann’s Warehouse in Brooklyn.  Philip will perform his music and talk about it. Tickets are here.

And on April 30th, Ira will be a dealing blackjack at The Bailout Casino. That’s a fundraiser for 826NYC, an amazing nonprofit that teaches kids to write.”

If you’re unfamiliar with this entire world, do yourself a favor and listen to some archived episodes and sign up for the free podcast. If you don’t know where to start, some of my favorite episodes include, “175: Babysitting,” “323: The Super,” and “328: What I Learned from Television.”

Post your favorites in the comments.