Thompson Closing In?, Charter Schools Lagging Behind, Urs Fischer Reviewed

Heading into the last weekend before the city's mayoral election, an internal Thompson campaign poll shows he's narrowing the gap with Mike Bloomberg. But the Times says — not so fast!

The Times has a few more details about the major construction project about to begin on the Manhattan Bridge. Earlier this week, we reported a Swedish firm had been awarded a $150 million contract to do the work. When the project begins early next year, subway service across the bridge will be suspended on up to 8 weekends. The bike path on the north side of the bridge could be shut down for as long as 8 months. 

A new report from New York City's Department of education shows charter school students are not doing as well as students in traditional public schools. The report measured academic performance based on report card results. 

Bowery Boogie takes a look at a new mosque going up on Eldridge Street.

Roberta Smith of the New York Times says the new Urs Fischer exhibition at the New Museum is "elegant and breathtakingly spare… but the results are quite a bit tamer and quieter than I expected." Paper Magazine, however, raves about the show , calling it "Alice in Wonderland for art nerds." 

Clothing designer James Coviello has opened his first stand-alone store on Orchard Street.

Straying a bit west of the LES: the Village Voice reports the gourmet Spanish food shop, Despana (Broome & Lafayette), is expanding. They'll be adding more tables, an expanded menu and a small wine shop.