• A Supreme Court justice fined Nello Balan $500 for wasting the court's time with a suit accusing model Le Call of breaking his limited-edition umbrella. [NYDN]

• Inspired by the popularity of barbecue, amateurs are smoking meat at home (after disabling their fire alarms). [NYT]

• Bodegas routinely violate health codes by purchasing perishable items wholesale and transporting meat, dairy, and produce in unrefrigerated vans. [NYP]
Related: Shocker: Street Vendors Not the Cleanest

• Friday night's five-hour Brewfest involved soggy frat-boy types sampling 300 beers in the rain. Fun! [Metromix]