Former gossip columnist Lloyd Grove publishes a lengthy interview with New York Observer owner and billionaire real estate magnate Jared Kushner today. (I sort of work for Kushner.) It begins in his office at 666 Fifth Avenue, where Kushner has a framed first page of Tale of Two Cities. This is a funny choice! Like most newsrooms, the Observer's alternates between states of revolutionary rage and exhausted complacency. But Kushner had better watch his back right now! Between the implementation of last week's new health insurance, which some editorial employees (Kushner says in the interview there are 50 of those!) found to be too expensive out of their pockets, and the lack of air conditioning in the office during this week's brutal heat wave, well, someone might end up the subject of an uprising. (Or, you know, everyone just might go back to typing their stories.)

The staff received a memo this morning, kindly apologizing for the heat—and offering some fans, and even cold water! Aww.

We are very sorry the air conditioning is down again this morning. We have a technician from the repair company on-site right now repairing the problem. In the meanwhile we want to make things a bit more tolerable for you. The technician will not be able to leave until the system has been up for at least an hour.

-we have installed fans around the affected area. If you need an additional fan please see Carlos
-cooler areas are available to sit in the back temporarily. Please see me or Carlos and we'll find you a temporary seat
-please keep your shades drawn to keep the sun and heat out.
-please close all open windows so things can cool down when the air conditioning is back up
-for those who need it we have some ice cold bottled water to help you cool down.

Again sorry for the discomfort and we are working to get it cooler as soon as possible.

Barry Lewis