Scoopy’s notebook

Wils she run? As if the race for Manhattan borough president wasn’t crowded enough, we hear Madelyn Wils may throw her hat into the ring. Wils is chairperson of Community Board 1 and holds an influential position as a resident board member on the Lower Manhattan Development Corp.

The Manzano Express: Carlos Manzano’s campaign for borough president keeps gathering momentum. Last Thursday, he announced he had filed enough funds to meet the Campaign Finance Board’s threshold for matching funds. Eighteen months prior to the election, Manzano has raised over $64,000, two-thirds of which is matchable by the city by a ratio of $4 for every $1 raised by Manzano. “The substantial amount of contributions under $25 that we’ve received shows the strength of this grassroots campaign,” said Manzano. “The large multi-ethnic coalition of small contributors demonstrates that voters strongly believe in my candidacy.” On Jan. 8, Colin Quinn, former “Saturday Night Live” star, was among a group of “young New Yorkers and supporters” hosting a fundraiser for Manzano.

Dark-pig candidate: A new entry in the presidential race, Son of Pigasus, plans to announce his candidacy in August when the Republican National Convention hits town. Like our current president, George W. Bush, Son of Pigasus boasts a political pedigree. His great-great-grandfather, Pigasus, was the Yippie! candidate for president in 1968, at a time when this country was mired in another controversial war. A flyer previewing his campaign announcement notes: “Son of Pigasus’ temperament is more peaceful than Dubya, and he is probably brighter. He is certainly prettier…. As for energy concerns, slimy Middle Eastern alliances and spiraling petroleum prices, a universal groundswell methane movement is planned…. ‘Who needs to import fuel at the expense of our balance of trade?’ S.O.P. is quoted as saying. ‘We have gas and we’ll use it!’ ” Dana Beal, a founding member of the Yippie! Party, said it’s unknown if Son of Pigasus will appear in the flesh at the protest or even on the ballot. “We have to find out what the rules are for livestock in New York City,” Beal said. “You can’t put a pig on the ballot. Then again, we’ve already got a big pig on the ballot.”

Discontent in BAMRA-lot: Lois Rakoff, candidate for resident co-chairperson of Bleecker Area Merchants and Residents’ Association, is complaining she can’t find out any information about the upcoming race she thought she was supposed to be having against incumbent Charles Wolf. “I think this election is one big mystery…because I don’t know when the election will be — and I’m the candidate,” Rakoff said. “I don’t know who’s on the election committee…I don’t even know when the next meeting is.” The election was to have been scheduled for February.

Raps ’n’ bats: We hear rapper Jay-Z and Mets owner Fred Wilpon have bought apartments in the new Richard Meier towers at Perry and West Sts.

Corrections: While The Villager recently reported that Christopher Banner Hair in the East Village closed, they in fact found a new, smaller space at 27 E. Third St., between Second and Third Aves. “Our rent almost doubled. We were going to close but lucked into a space,” said Monica Minoui. A pioneering business in the East Village, the salon, owned by Christopher Banner, was on E. Fifth St. for 16 1/2 years…. A recent Villager article on Collective Unconscious incorrectly referred to the current Mr. Lower East Side as “Michael Medvin.” In fact, the reigning Mr. L.E.S. is Neal Medlyn.

Big time: Former talk show host Joe Franklin was at the premiere of former Villager production manager Bill LoCasto’s new play, “The Plot,” last Friday at Creative Place Theater on W. 46th St. “Wow, I’m already on the A list!” gushed LoCasto. Franklin was a friend of one of the cast members.

Dems who’s against war: New Yorkers Say No To War will present a free forum on the Democratic primary on Jan. 27 at 8 p.m. at the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center, 208 W. 13th St. Supporters of several of the candidates will speak and answer questions about their candidates’ programs, positions and strategies for beating Bush. Call 212-620-5619 for information.