Bondy: Gifts for the Captain who has everything

Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Spike TV Jessica Alba could pay Derek Jeter a surprise visit when the Yankees visit L.A. in May.

Not everyone is e-vited to this party, because Derek Jeter will be visiting only four National League stadiums this year.

The Arizona Diamondbacks won’t be able to give him a No. 2 jersey from the 2011 All-Star Game at Chase Field which he skipped. And the Cincinnati Reds don’t get to hand Jeter a Chad Mottola baseball card (career batting average, .200), depicting the player they chose fifth in the 1992 amateur draft, ahead of guess-who at No. 6.

But that still leaves plenty of cities and stadiums on the 2014 Jeter Farewell Tour, with much mawkish bounty to be distributed. What to give the shortstop who has everything? Here, a few ceremonial and gift suggestions, to go along with the road tour schedule:

At Houston Astros, April 1-3

First stop, a presentation by Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte of all the syringes, creams and pills Jeter could have used, but didn’t, during his 20-year career.

At L.A. Angels, May 5-7

A lineup along the third base line of all Jeter’s ex-girlfriends, led off by L.A.-born Minka Kelly and Californian Jessica Alba. Not sure if Jeter will enjoy this, but that’s his problem.

At Milwaukee Brewers, May 9-11

The original scouting report from Brewers special assistant Dick Grouch, who first signed Jeter for Yanks. At bottom, if you look closely, it says, “Let George Steinbrenner think it was his idea all along.”

At Mets, May 13-14

A bill from the Wilpons for the $ 1 billion in ticket sales that Jeter cost their franchise, upstaging the Mets over two decades and five championships. Jeter can start paying his debt with the 2000 World Series MVP trophy, for his .409 batting average, two homers and 19 total bases.

At Chicago Cubs, May 20-21

A billygoat, and a contract offer to hang around Wrigley Field once in a while after retirement, just for good luck.

At Chicago White Sox, May 23-25

A rocking chair made of white socks, because someone always gives a rocking chair. Let’s just hope it’s the only one.

At St. Louis Cardinals, May 26-28

A notarized letter from Ozzie Smith indicating that, yes, Jeter was the better all-around shortstop despite sabermetric-obsessed Cardinal fans who still ignore Smith’s .262 career batting average.

At Kansas City Royals, June 6-9

Model of a mom-and-pop grocery store next to a Walmart, to remind Jeter why some small-market franchises haven’t been able to compete with the Yankees since the mid-1990s.

At Seattle Mariners, June 10-12

A formal letter of apology, for drafting Alex Rodriguez in 1993 and nurturing his young career.

At Oakland A’ s, June 13-15

A shovel, for his famous relay in 2001 during Game 3 of the American League Championship Series. Jeremy Giambi will deliver it to him at home plate, only he’ll slide this time.

At Minnesota Twins, July 3-6

No need for a gift. Paid in advance. Just hand over the receipt for four, one-sided ALDS series.

At Cleveland Indians, July 7-10

Two free beers to drink in the clubhouse during the game, from manager Terry Francona.

At Texas Rangers, July 28-30

Several formal letters of apology, for sending A-Rod to the Yankees in 2004.

At Detroit Tigers, Aug. 26-28

A new left ankle, with free surgical services for life. It’s the least they can do, after Jeter suffered his worst career injury fielding a 12th-inning grounder by Jhonny Peralta in Game 1 of the 2012 ALCS.

At Toronto Blue Jays, Aug. 29-31

The third base bag where Ken Huckaby tagged Jeter and dislocated his left shoulder in a collision during Opening Day, 2003. Huckaby also will hand Jeter the cell phone he used to try to apologize in vain, many times. Maybe, 11 years later, Derek will more graciously forgive the poor guy.

At Baltimore Orioles, Sept. 12-14

A revised scorecard from Game 1 of the 1996 American League Championship Series that records a simple flyout by Jeter in the bottom of the eighth inning, instead of a game-tying home run. Presented to him by Tony Tarasco.

At Tampa Bay Rays, Sept. 15-17

Forget the pregame ceremony. Instead, David Price will offer up another fat pitch to Jeter in the first inning, like the one that led to that 3000th hit, a homer.

At Boston Red Sox, Sept. 26-28

One sour grape. Too late now to get all sentimental.

Daily News back page 10/14/01

ERIC RISBERG/AP Oakland Athletics’ Jeremy Giambi, center, is tagged out at home by New York Yankees’ Jorge Posada, right, during Game 3 of the American League Division Series, in Oakland, Calif., Saturday, Oct. 13, 2001. Giambi tried to score from first on a double from Terrence Long in the seventh inning. At left is Yankees short stop Derek Jeter who assisted with a throw from between first and home. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg) Original Filename: YANKEES_ATHLETICS_OAS115.jpg

SENDER: ?Matvey, Mike? <mMatvey@nydailynews.com>

Steve Granitz/WireImage Jessica Alba (from l.), Minka Kelly, some beer and a slide from Jeremy Giambi could be some parting gifts for Derek Jeter this season.

STEPHEN MORRISON/EPA epa03713618 American actress Jessica Alba walks on the red carpet for the Social Star Awards ceremony in Singapore, 23 May 2013. The inaugural Social Star Awards, billed as the Oscars for social media, was held at the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore. EPA/STEPHEN MORRISON

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NYC Hot Sauce Expo Adds Spice to Weekend

It is not for the faint of heart, but some New Yorkers are testing their palates at the New York City Hot Sauce Expo. NY1′s Bree Driscoll filed the following report.

The heat is on everything, not just in sauces, but things like lollipops and brownies. There are even plenty of hot outfits at the New York City Hot Sauce Expo.

“We like flavor. We’re foodies, and we just like to burn when we are tasting that good food,” said one attendee.

It is the second year of the event at Penn Plaza Pavilion that brings together the hottest of the hot.

“We’ev got 45 of the best hot sauce companies in America,” said Jimmy Carbone, co-founder of the New York City Hot Sauce Expo.

Hundreds of brave souls came out to put their tongues to the test.

“This is incredible. The flavor’s on the edge, the cutting edge,” said one person. “I’m not a killer heat person, as you can see. I’m already perspiring from all the peppers I’ve had.”

I’m about to try the hottest all-natural sauce in the world. It is made with the reaper pepper, which Guinness World Records has named as the hottest chili on earth.

At first, it’s not that bad, but about two minutes later, the effects start kicking in. First, my eyes start watering and my heart is racing. Then, my nose starts running and my face is sweating. My mouth is on fire.

The reaper pepper is the brainchild of Ed Currie. He said that he created it to help combat heart disease and cancer that runs in his family. He eats about 15 of them a day.

“Don’t get me wrong. It’s still hot. There’s nothing you can do to stop the crying or your nose running, anything like that, but you get used to the pain,” Currie said. “It’s kind of like boxers. You’d ask someone, ‘How do you get used to get punched in the face?’ Well, you just get used to it.”

Just when you think you can’t take any more heat, you can cool things down with Spice Cream. Yep, hot sauce-infused ice cream.

“It doesn’t seem like it should go together, but it works really well,” said David Letterman, the owner of Bonfetto’s.

The expo runs through Sunday. Tickets are $ 12 at the door.

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Crime spike hits Howard Beach

Queens

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

Saturday, March 29, 2014, 6:04 PM

courtesy of City Councilman Eric Ulrich Queens South commander Deputy Chief David Barrere (r.) and City Councilman Eric Ulrich (c.) meet with concerned Howard Beach residents to discuss a recent rash of break-ins.

Terrified Howard Beach residents are hoping a beefed-up police presence will ward off burglars who have hit at least five times in the past week.

The crafty perps snatched jewelry and electronics from homes in the late morning hours without being spotted.

A seemingly unrelated home invasion earlier this month has added to the tension, residents said.

The crime wave has been a shock for residents in the normally quiet bedroom community in south Queens.

“We’re being held hostage,” said Joann Ariola, president of the Howard Beach-Lindenwood Civic Association. “This is a safe neighborhood. We don’t want to live in fear.”

The NYPD has added a mobile unit and patrols to the area.

The break-ins took place in the area of 159th and 163rd Aves. between 83rd and 96th Sts.

Ariola said the added police presence has provided some relief, but residents should still be on alert.

“One way or another they are going to get the person or persons responsible,” said City Councilman Eric Ulrich (R-Ozone Park), who has been communicating with police officials and posting updates through social media. “There seems to be a pattern here.”

No one was injured during the burglaries, according to a notice distributed by the police. The burglars generally broke in through side doors and windows, police said.

lcolangelo@nydailynews.com

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De Blasio Says Pre-K Provisions in Budget Are Major Boost

The new budget deal agreed upon in Albany is already drawing applause from Mayor Bill de Blasio.

The source of funding for pre-K had been a point of contention between de Blasio and Governor Andrew Cuomo, as the mayor was seeking permission from the state to raise taxes on wealthy city residents to pay for the plan.

Still, de Blasio said that the pre-K provisions are a major boost.

“What we’re seeing so far constitutes an extraordinary and historic step forward for the city,” he said. “It’s clearly the resources we need to create full-day pre-K for every child in the city. That’s what we set out to do. So from what we’re seeing so far, it’s an incredible beginning. It will affect every neighborhood in the city, tens of thousands of children and families, starting this September, and we’re incredibly excited about this step forward, but still, more details to come.”

The budget wasn’t all good news for the mayor, though, as it prohibits him from charging rent to charter schools using space in public school buildings.

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Movie review: Captain America: The Winter Soldier

Zade Rosenthal Chris Evans stars as the patriotic superhero in “Marvel’s Captain America: The Winter Soldier.”

For a man out of time, Captain America’s finger is on the pulse.

The defrosted Marvel hero, last seen in “The Avengers,” is in the right place in “Captain America: The Winter Soldier.” His 2011 debut was set in World War II, while this rousing, terrific film is a product of our era, full of dangerous drones and stolen digital intel.

A great international thriller, it engages the world at large yet stays focused as a sharp cast led by Scarlett Johansson, Anthony Mackie and Robert Redford support the star-spangled main man.

At heart, “Cap” — Capt. Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) — is still the ordinary patriot he was before a 1940s experiment gave him a body to match his spirit. Frozen in a plane crash fighting a Nazi offshoot called Hydra, he strides through the 21st century jotting down the questions he encounters (like, “Star Wars”/“Trek?”).

This Greatest Generation guy, though, can’t square his new mission from S.H.I.E.L.D. boss Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson). Steal info the U.S. security director (Redford) needs to stop evildoers before they do evil. Truth, however, becomes collateral damage.

Zade Rosenthal/Marvel Scarlett Johansson stars as Black Widow in “Captain America: The Winter Soldier.”

Rogers and cohort Black Widow (Johansson) get worried just as Fury comes under attack. For help, they turn to Iraq veteran Sam Wilson (Mackie), who dons high-tech, retractable wings to become Falcon.

The shadowy bad guys have another weapon — an assassin called the Winter Soldier, who, like Rogers, is superstrong, a product of an earlier age — and closer to Captain America than anyone knows. This masked mystery with a metal arm is used by old and new villains to “maintain freedom” — yet as Cap says, it’s a version of freedom that looks a lot like fear.

Parents, take note: For all its heart, this is a tougher, more morally complex movie than its predecessors. Young kids carrying their miniversions of Cap’s famous shield may be in for a jolt.

Adult moviegoers, though, will find a smart, action-packed film with DNA that includes “Three Days of the Condor” and the Jason Bourne flicks. Directors Joe and Anthony Russo ground their very vulnerable heroes in a recognizable reality while never skimping on massive set pieces, kinetic hand-to-hand fights and a secret lab ripped from the comics pages.

That balances a final battle that feels a bit out of control, as well as a multiheaded baddie conspiracy embedded in Marvel lore.

Yet Evans is again a charismatic, gallant guide, as Johansson amps up the provocative playfulness. Redford adds a sense of cold war craftiness, especially in an homage scene to “The Manchurian Candidate.” And Mackie earns his wings as a cool addition to this world of avengers and defenders. (A salute to costume designer Judianna Makovsky for the balance between bold and believable.)

They all bring their A game, for a bracing superhero film that uses its brain as much as its brawn.

Zade Rosenthal/Marvel Enlarge Zade Rosenthal/Marvel Enlarge

Evans brings his game for a superhero film that uses its brain as much as its brawn.

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De Blasio, Schumer Announce Plans to Help NYers Recovering from Sandy

Mayor Bill de Blasio and Sen. Charles Schumer announced plans Saturday to help New Yorkers still recovering from Hurricane Sandy.

De Blasio said that the city is shifting $ 100 million in Hurricane Sandy aid directly to home rebuilding projects.

The mayor also said that checks are in the mail to homeowners who’ve applied for help through the city’s previously stalled Build it Back Program.

De Blasio and Schumer said that New Yorkers who are still struggling have not been forgotten.

“We’re here today to provide the beginning of answers and solutions,” de Blasio said. “The human crisis of Sandy is deep, it is lasting, it will continue, and we will stand by the people affected until everyone is back on their feet.”

“This is really a good day,” Schumer said. “It’s a turning point for all the people, the homeowners who were wiped out in Sandy. “

The two also announced a trio of appointments to lead the city’s rebuilding efforts.

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Jets GM has yet to contact DeSean Jackson but market for WR develops

Drew Hallowell/Getty Images During last week’s NFL owners meetings in Orlando, Woody Johnson admits that the team had internal discussions about DeSean Jackson, who is now available.

The Philadelphia Eagles didn’t want DeSean Jackson, and the Jets may not want him either. But there is already a small market forming for one of football’s most devastating big-play weapons.

On Saturday, one day after the Eagles shockingly released their leading receiver, seven teams had already expressed interest in acquiring Jackson, according to ProFootballTalk.com. Jets GM John Idzik, however, had not yet reached out to Jackson’s camp as of Friday, the News has learned.

That doesn’t mean the Jets aren’t interested. The News reported on Friday that some in the organization were still interested in pursuing Jackson, and with nearly $ 30 million in cap room, the Jets have the space to add him. During last week’s NFL owners meetings in Orlando, Woody Johnson admitted that the team had had internal discussions about Jackson, who had been the subject of trade rumors even before his release.

“We’re looking at a number of players, including DeSean,” Johnson had said.

Still, a report that surfaced on NJ.com on Friday is causing many to weigh the riks of signing Jackson. That report linked Jackson to gang activity in Southern California. Philly went on to release him, after several weeks of struggling to find a trade partner for the explosive receiver.

At 27, Jackson is in the prime of his career, and he’s coming off a terrific season in which he set career highs in receiving yards (1,332) and catches (82). But a little less than a year after the murder arrest of Aaron Hernandez, many front-office people — not just Idzik — are proceeding with caution in regards to Jackson.

“Not sure,” said one league personnel man in a text message, when asked about acquiring Jackson. “Gotta read into things.”

Still, Jackson’s talent seems sure to entice someone, and while the Jets’ current GM has been wary, the team’s former GM believes Johnson could be tempted. Mike Tannenbaum was asked on SiriusXM Radio on Saturday morning whether he could see Woody Johnson signing off on Jackson, and the ex-Jets GM had a quick response.

“Yeah, absolutely,” Tannenbaum said.

The Jets might provide a stable situation, reuniting Jackson with his former Eagles offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg and ex-Eagles QB Michael Vick, a close friend who could help keep jackson in line. Jackson would also round out the Jet receiving corps nicely, serving as a deep threat complement to newly signed Eric Decker and holdover Jeremy Kerley, opening intermediate routes.

But for a team that just released problem-child Santonio Holmes, it may not be worth the risk. And while Idzik ponders, other teams are starting to explore the possibility. The Kansas City Chiefs, led by former Eagles coach Andy Reid, are among those interested, according to reports, although they might need to rework some player contracts to create cap room.

The Oakland Raiders have been studying Jackson — who played his college ball at near by Berkeley — for weeks, according to the NFL Network, and there are rumblings that the Redskins and the Jets’ AFC East rivals, the Buffalo Bills, could also have interest.

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