A blast damaged the Times Square, New York military recruiting station early Thursday morning. New York City police officers and firefighters cordoned off much of Times Square for more than two hours after a small explosion — set off, the authorities said, by an “improvised explosive device” — damaged the front of the Armed Forces Career Center on the traffic island bounded by 43rd and 44th Streets, Seventh Avenue and Broadway at 3:43 a.m., officials said. No one was injured, and after a temporary interruption, subway service was restored.  

The New York Times reports that the police said the explosive device involved in the Times Square blast this morning was “roughly similar” to the devices used in two earlier bombings at foreign consulates in Manhattan, in 2005 and 2007.   

And in a political twist to the bombing, members of Congress in Washington D.C., were sent letters and photos of the recruiting station ‘before’ the bombing. Politico reports that  the letters did not contain any specific threats against the lawmakers or the site, but the U.S. Capitol Police and the FBI are now investigating the matter.

Sounds to me like it’s some disgruntled NYC bum who ’s just pissed off at the Armed Forces and Congress and gas prices, rather than a wackadoo from some place where they where turbans and stuff. But hey, what do I know? Let’s just hope the wierdo lays off and goes back to whatever hole he crawled out from.

Moving to a more delicious subject, pizza makers from around the world are duking it out at the Javits Convention Center to win the coveted America’s Plate, a contest to be held at PMQ’s New York Pizza Show and International Restaurant & Food service Show. They’ll toss, they’ll sauce and they’ll top, all in an effort to win over the judges and earn their creation the title of Best Pizza in the World.

Pizza makers representing the United States, Australia, Italy, France, Finland and China are scheduled to compete Monday, March 10 from 10 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. The winner being announced at 1:30 p.m. This year’s judges include the 2007 America’s Plate Champion from Spain, Fabian Martin; Chef-instructor Jeffrey Yoskowitz from The Institute of Culinary Education in New York; and seasoned pizzaiolos Salvo D’Aguanno and Pasqulale Loguidice. The New York Pizza Show is sponsored by PMQ’s Pizza Magazine (www.pmq.com) and is held in conjunction with the International Restaurant & Foodservice Show of New York March 9-11. Full press release here. Oh, and there’s a $100,000 contest which you can enter even if you aren’t participating in the show. Details here.

Since we’re on the subject, where would you find the best slice of heavenly pizza in New York? That would be Anna Maria’s, North 7th Street and Bedford, Williamsburg, Brooklyn. It’s a thick, crusty and delicious. Pizza which tastes like pizza should, but rarely does. I’ll post a review soon.