# SantaCon Gets a Wholesome Rival: The Elf Project

While thousands participated in the infamous, boozy SantaCon bar crawl in Midtown Manhattan on Saturday, a new, family-friendly event emerged: **Project Elf**. This "sober SantaCon" alternative, held in Central Park, offered a different kind of holiday cheer.

![SantaCon Revelers](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/2024-event-includes-fundraising-charity-95350969.jpg?w=1024)

SantaCon attendees described the event as a chance to "get drunk and watch everyone talk about how much they hate Christmas," while others emphasized the unity of dressing up as Santa.  One participant even carried an "Emotional Support Gingerbread" basket!

![Grinch at SantaCon](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/2024-event-includes-fundraising-charity-95350904.jpg?w=683)

**Project Elf**, however, was a different story.  Organized by two New York City teenagers, John Clark (14) and Oliver Bachleda (16), the event drew around 40 people dressed as elves.  Inspired by the movie "Elf," the teens aimed to create a fun, alcohol-free alternative.

![Project Elf Participants](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/tessie-tokash-age-26-queens-95353328_25c36b.jpg?w=1024)

The event also had a charitable element: for each elf in attendance, the Clark and Bachleda families donated $100 to Citymeals on Wheels, a non-profit supporting elderly New Yorkers.  One participant praised Project Elf as "a fun way to spread Christmas cheer." 

![Project Elf Organizer](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/john-clark-age-14-mhtn-95353779.jpg?w=1024)

While hundreds of people piled into Midtown to partake in the infamous debauchery of SantaCon on Saturday, a “wholesome” alternative event debuted in Manhattan. 

SantaCon's Sober Twin? NYC's New Elf Project Takes Center Stage!

Himmel + Meringoff, the powerhouse firm behind **5 million square feet** of prime New York City property — mostly in Manhattan — is ready to part with its **crown jewel in the outer boroughs**.

H+M and its joint-venture partner **Affinius Capital** are exploring a sale of **1601 Bronxdale Ave.**, a sprawling **7.4-acre site** steps away from the planned new **Parkchester/Van Nest Metro-North station** in the Bronx.

![Illustration of the planned high-rise residential and retail development in the Bronx](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/10/bronx-housing-retail-site-set-143516339.jpg?w=1024)

### A Fully-Approved Mega-Project

H+M purchased the parcel back in **2019** and has already secured **all necessary city approvals** for six buildings totaling **2.41 million square feet**. The greenlit plans include:

- **Public space** featuring a plaza, retail and community space
- **640 parking spaces**
- A **direct pedestrian connection** to the planned new Metro-North station

### Up to 2,300 New Apartments

The complex would contain up to **2,300 apartments** — a project estimated to cost around **$1 billion** — and may well be **the city's largest fully-entitled housing development site**.

The changes in use and size were approved as part of the **state's and city's plan to add Metro-North stations in the Bronx**, a major transit expansion poised to reshape the borough's real estate landscape and fuel a new wave of transit-oriented development.

Himmel + Meringoff, which has developed, partnered in or managed 5 million square feet of prime Big Apple property mostly in Manhattan, plans to sell its outer-borough jewel.

Massive $1 Billion Bronx Mega-Development Near New Metro-North Station Hits the Market

New York City's underground has become an unlikely hunting ground this summer, as a wave of **clandestine sewer excursions** has captured the city's imagination — all fueled by rumors of **lost gold** trapped in storm drains.

## The Arrest That Exposed the 'Mole People' Mystery

Two men, **Samuel Reveron** and **Kevin Rodriguez**, were apprehended in Queens after police tracked them down through **video footage**. The pair were allegedly spotted entering the sewers with **four other people** who have yet to be identified. Both were charged with **criminal trespassing** — but it's their stated motive that has truly fascinated New Yorkers.

"We go into the sewer and look for valuables that get stuck in the storm drains and sewers, gold, anything of value," Reveron, 25, reportedly told police after his arrest.

## A Misguided Get-Rich-Quick Scheme

The duo's quest fits an apparently misguided pattern of people believing **New York's sewers are paved with gold**. Last year, three men were arrested after allegedly emerging from a Brooklyn sewer, with one telling police: "The reason we went down there is that people lose their gold down there. We got to get it and sell it to make money."

Despite the vaulting ambition, there's little evidence that **sewer foraging pays off**. Steve Duncan, a former urban explorer who has spent extensive time in the city's sewers and subway tunnels, told the New York Times that across **more than 100 sewer trips**, the most valuable thing he ever found was an **expired credit card**.

## Real-Life Ninja Turtles?

The phenomenon shows no signs of slowing down. In May alone, there were **three separate reported incidents** of people climbing down into sewers, two of which were captured on video. In footage from Astoria, Queens, three people wearing **dungaree-style hip waders** and carrying flashlights hauled aside a manhole cover and descended into the darkness.

"Three random guys walking around in a strange suit. Open the sewer, go in like the Ninja Turtles," eyewitness Aki Jakupovic told NBC New York at the time.

The comparison to the **Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles** — the fictional human-turtle hybrids famously depicted as living in the sewers — has become a recurring theme in coverage of these bizarre incidents.

## A Longstanding, Dangerous Trend

While incidents appear to have spiked this year, this is **nothing new**. In 2015, a trainee at the New York Department of Environmental Protection was arrested after being caught in the sewers.

"God knows what they were looking for. I know for damn sure I wouldn't be crawling through the sewers of New York," then-police commissioner **Bill Bratton** said at the time.

## The UN Connection That Wasn't

Reveron and Rodriguez's September sojourn drew extra police attention because it coincided with **world leaders gathering at the UN**, some of them staying at swanky hotels near where the men went underground. But Reveron's attorney, **Brian Kennedy**, dismissed any sinister angle.

"There's no connection to the UN or the appearance of Netanyahu or any other kind of nefarious scheme," Kennedy told NBC News.

## Officials Sound the Alarm

Rob Wolejsza, a spokesperson for New York's Department of Environmental Protection, called the practice **"both illegal and extremely dangerous."**

"Sewers can contain numerous hazards, including **noxious and potentially deadly gases**, unstable surfaces, flooding risks and confined spaces," Wolejsza warned. "For these reasons, members of the public should never enter a pipe, drain, catch basin, manhole or outfall."

Whether people will listen remains to be seen: on the very same day Reveron and Rodriguez were arrested, **three more men** were spotted climbing out of a sewer at 4:30am in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. Police found a **shovel** in the sewer — but the men got away.

A recent arrest suggests that underground invaders of city’s sewer system are lured by the promise of lost valuables

NYC's Secret Sewer Gold Rush: Why Treasure Hunters Keep Vanishing Into the City's Manholes

**Cornell University President Michael Kotlikoff** has broken his silence on the alleged **2024 gang rape** of a student at a fraternity house, calling the case "deeply disturbing" and pledging **greater transparency** amid mounting outrage over how the Ivy League school handled the allegations.

In an eight-minute video message to the Cornell community on Saturday, Kotlikoff expressed deep sorrow for the survivor. "My heart aches when I think of what she experienced," he said.

## One of Cornell's Darkest Chapters

Kotlikoff characterized the past week as **one of the most difficult in the university's history**, warning that it would weigh on Cornell for years to come.

"It raises heartbreaking and troubling issues about **sexual assault, dehumanisation** and aspects of **party culture, alcohol and drug use**," he said.

The woman, identified in court documents as **Jane Doe**, alleges she was sexually assaulted by multiple members of the **Chi Phi fraternity** in 2024 and has sued the **university and seven former students**.

## State Takes Over the Criminal Investigation

Scrutiny over Cornell's handling of the case intensified after **New York Governor Kathy Hochul** said newly released information had undermined her confidence in the local prosecutor, who initially declined to bring charges.

Hochul subsequently appointed **state Attorney General Letitia James as special prosecutor** to take over the criminal investigation, declaring she would "not allow anyone to **sweep this case under the rug**."

![New York Governor Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James attend a press conference on the Cornell investigation](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/reuters_6ac19979-1791072633.jpg?resize=770%2C507&quality=80)

## A Legal Loophole Under Fire

The case has reignited scrutiny of the **"voluntary intoxication loophole"** in New York law, which makes it difficult to prosecute sexual assaults involving victims who voluntarily consumed alcohol or drugs — even if they later became too intoxicated to consent.

**Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten** had cited the legal provision in defending his original decision not to pursue charges. Hochul has pledged to push for **changes to the law**.

## Pressure Mounts on Campus

At a student assembly hearing on Thursday, several speakers **called for Kotlikoff's resignation**.

In Saturday's video, the president reaffirmed his support for an **independent review** of the university's handling of the case, with Cornell's **Board of Trustees** expected to announce details next week. He also called for a "serious look at the role of **fraternities and sororities in campus life**."

James's appointment has placed the case under a prosecutor whose office has repeatedly clashed with **President Donald Trump**. She has separately described the matter as "an **active criminal investigation**."

Michael Kotlikoff expresses deep sorrow over the case, calling it one of the most challenging periods for Cornell.

Cornell President Breaks Silence on Fraternity Rape Case as NY Attorney General Takes Over Investigation

An **off-duty NYPD detective** was stabbed multiple times in a shocking afternoon attack in the **Norwood section of the Bronx**, sending shockwaves through the department as police intensify their search for the suspects.

## What Happened on Rochambeau Avenue

The violent encounter unfolded on **Rochambeau Avenue** Friday afternoon, when **Detective Jose Mercedes** was retrieving something from the trunk of his car. That's when suspects approached him from behind, sparking a **violent scuffle**.

Despite being stabbed multiple times, the detective fought back — and the suspects ultimately **fled empty-handed** on an **e-bike**.

## The Search for the Suspects

Investigators believe the attackers may have **sustained injuries during the scuffle**, and police are now combing through **hospitals across the city** in hopes of tracking them down.

The suspects are described as:

- A **shirtless man** wearing **black sweatpants** and **black sneakers**
- A man wearing a **black hoodie**, **black sweatpants**, and **black sneakers**

## Detective Recovering, City Officials Respond

Mercedes, who has served with the **NYPD since July 2016**, is currently in **stable condition**. **Mayor Zohran Mamdani** visited the detective in the hospital and shared the update on his recovery.

As of now, **no arrests have been made**, and the investigation remains active.

An off-duty NYPD detective was stabbed multiple times in the Norwood section of the Bronx.

Off-Duty NYPD Detective Stabbed in Brazen Bronx Ambush — Suspects Fled on E-Bike

New York has never had a Muslim film festival. **Until now.**

The **New York Muslim Film Festival (NYMFF)** launches on **October 11** at Manhattan's **SVA Theatre**, positioning itself as a platform for up-and-coming Muslim artists whose voices and perspectives deserve greater visibility.

## A Festival Rooted in Joy

"This festival is rooted in joy," said co-founder **Nawal Mubin** on the NYMFF's website.

Mubin is a New York-based director and producer, currently working as an associate producer at **Lost in Space**, a boutique production and post-production company.

"At its core, our mission is to foster **joy, dialogue, and belonging through storytelling**. Muslims are a global and diverse community, shaped by countless cultures, identities, and lived experiences. There is no single Muslim story. Every Muslim story is worthy of being told, and every perspective adds to the vibrant tapestry of who we are," she added.

Mubin co-founded the event with **Giuseppe de Matteis**, a New York-based filmmaker and post-production professional who serves as media manager and lead assistant editor at Lost in Space.

## One Day, Twelve Films and a Star-Studded Jury

The **one-day event** will screen **12 shorts**, mixing **documentaries, dramas, comedies, animation and experimental pieces**.

The programme starts with a reception for filmmakers and industry guests. From there, two hour-long blocks of six films each lead into the **awards and jury announcement**.

[Watch the festival announcement on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/Dd9FBOQFu46/)

*Variety* reports there will be a **six-member jury**, including **Emmy winner Aasif Mandvi**, best known as a correspondent on *The Daily Show*, and producer **Abubakar Khan**, whose credits include *The Glassworker*, Pakistan's 2025 Oscar submission.

## The Lineup

### $17.74 by Justin Mashouf

![Still from $17.74](https://i.dawn.com/primary/2026/10/031205259565855.webp)

This documentary centres on a **former gang member** who has spent decades in prison, jailed since the 1980s. A small act of kindness he extends to the people of **Gaza** from behind bars ends up igniting an unexpected **viral wave of solidarity and hope**.

### Baba is Melting by Karim Emara

![Still from Baba is Melting](https://i.dawn.com/primary/2026/10/031207032116035.webp)

In this **Qatar-US dramedy**, a single phone call carries the story. A son calls his father while parked outside before Friday prayer in Doha to confront him about a **secret second marriage**. Against the city's scorching heat, their exchange stirs up long-suppressed feelings, pushing both to face **masculinity, vulnerability and the frailty of their relationship**.

### Bukra by Alex Aljouni

![Still from Bukra](https://i.dawn.com/primary/2026/10/03120855aad3ed6.webp)

A young **Syrian refugee** wins a football in a sweepstakes and must race to pick it up before her best friend leaves for good, so they can play **one last match together**.

### Ghusl by Zaid Ahmed Hassan

![Still from Ghusl](https://i.dawn.com/primary/2026/10/03121202844843f.webp)

This film follows a son tasked by his dying father with **learning Islamic burial rites**, a request that brings him face to face with the end of their time together.

### Haram Salami by Negine Jasmine Sekandari and Ayda Rojhantalab

![Still from Haram Salami](https://i.dawn.com/primary/2026/10/0312135623316a9.webp)

Old rifts reopen among **three generations of Afghan women** in this comedy as each weighs her own identity and desires against the pull of **tradition**.

### Henna by Basma Khalifa

![Still from Henna](https://i.dawn.com/primary/2026/10/0312152717033b0.webp)

This **experimental UK film** charts the henna plant's life cycle and a woman's journey through generations of **ritual, memory and womanhood**, weaving personal reflection into ancestral tradition.

### Malika by Maram Taibah

![Still from Malika](https://i.dawn.com/primary/2026/10/031217519216798.webp)

This **Saudi fantasy** rests on the relationship between a grandmother and her granddaughter, pondering what it means to be a **wild girl in a world that expects girls to be obedient**, told through a magical-realist world of a child's imagination.

### My Friend in the Jingle Truck by Sima Naseem

![Still from My Friend in the Jingle Truck](https://i.dawn.com/primary/2026/10/031218546054223.webp)

This **Canadian-Pakistani animation** takes a young girl from Karachi into a brightly painted jingle truck, where a magical bird transports her into its colourful world. Through **stop-motion and 2D animation**, the film brings Pakistani culture to life as its lead character learns about **friendship and letting go**.

### Sabr O Shukr by Bilal Shams Khan

![Still from Sabr O Shukr](https://i.dawn.com/primary/2026/10/03121937bb4ca64.webp)

In this film, 10-year-old Akram's dream of owning a **bicycle** becomes his first true lesson in **patience and gratitude**.

### The Boy with the Dinosaur Head by Imran J Khan

![Still from The Boy with the Dinosaur Head](https://i.dawn.com/primary/2026/10/03122055bf9856d.webp)

A troubled boy convinced he is a **dinosaur** goes head to head with a teacher set on bringing him back to reality.

### Unqualified by Ilhan Abdullahi and Sherry Rashidan

![Still from Unqualified](https://i.dawn.com/primary/2026/10/0312222703056bd.webp)

This **Canadian comedy** follows Warsan, the lone Muslim at her office, who is tasked with **spiritually cleansing a lunchroom rumoured to be haunted**. The plot: she must clear out the spirits before she loses her job.

### Ya Hanouni by Lyna Tadount and Sofian Chouaib

![Still from Ya Hanouni](https://i.dawn.com/primary/2026/10/03122328d765094.webp)

In this **French drama**, two parents compete to hear their baby say 'Mama' or 'Baba' first. Their playful rivalry is cut short by an **unexpected event that upends their lives**.

For a city that has never had a Muslim film festival until now, this is a **significant beginning**.

"We seek to uplift **thoughtful, heartwarming, and life-affirming stories** that reflect the richness of Muslim life, from love and humour to resilience, tenderness, and community," Mubin said.

"Through a welcoming and celebratory environment, we hope filmmakers and audiences alike feel **seen, connected, and inspired**," she added.

The inaugural New York Muslim Film Festival will screen 12 shorts, mixing documentaries, dramas and comedies.

SantaCon's Sober Twin? NYC's New Elf Project Takes Center Stage!

SantaCon Gets a Wholesome Rival: The Elf Project

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SantaCon's Sober Twin? NYC's New Elf Project Takes Center Stage!

SantaCon Gets a Wholesome Rival: The Elf Project

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