Although the city's music venues have so far weathered the lousy economy and increasingly hostile community boards (save for Studio B), we're not exactly jumping for joy that an annex of the Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame is coming to Stanton St. in November, even if it does promise a "New York Rocks" exhibit (expect the usual Ramones barrage). On a scale of rock'n'roll attitude, this strikes us as just a little better than another  Hard Rock Cafe opening (though admittedly a lot better than John Varvatos taking over another treasured music venue).

Billy Joel was on hand for the announcement, as was Mayor Bloomberg, who sat in a Chevy once owned by Bruce Springsteen. Good to see in these troubled economic times that our leader has time for meetings with Brett Favre and the guy who gave us "The Piano Man."

Rock Hall of Fame coming to New York (AM New York via Newsday)

A look from Thakoon's Fall 08 collection

Target just announced that Thakoon Panichgul will design their next Go International Collection. Born in Thailand, Thakoon debuted his first line in 2004, quickly becoming a celeb favorite (Sarah Jessica is a fan) with his feminine, yet distinctly modern clothes. So don't forget to mark your calendars for December when this collaboration is set to launch in Target stores across the U.S. Or get your fix now with these choice (and more recent) designer collaborations. 

The best scene in last season's Top Chef finale was when Eric Ripert and Dan Barber watched wide-eyed as Richard Blaise concocted his nitrogen-frozen ice cream. It's not just any technique that causes the world's best cooks to stand mesmerized, but most everything about molecular gastronomy is weird, wild and new. If you've ever eaten at wd-50, dreamed of traveling to El Bulli or admired/been grossed out by the work of Top Chef's Marcel, you know how strange science and fine food play well together.

The International Culinary Center, part of the French Culinary Institute, now offers recreational classes for nonprofessionals--and the one you want to sign up for is Food Technology for the Home Cook, a three-hour learning session that will take place on October 4. Taught by The French Culinary Institute’s Nils Noren and famous food scientist Dave Arnold, you'll have the chance to give Wylie Dufresne a run for his Pacojet.