Besides his sister, Pat Koch Thaler, a former dean at N.Y.U. whom he saw regularly in
later years, Mr. Koch is survived by New York itself, as an old friend
put it a few years ago.
You did great, Ed. You did great.
Showing posts with label NYC. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NYC. Show all posts
Grand Central Terminal...100 Years on February 1st
If you will be in the area, you should stop in...there will be exhibits, special offers, performances...all sponsored by Target. link
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS ON THE MAIN CONCOURSE
9:30 am — 10:00 am
West Point Brass & Percussion concert and presentation of colors by West Point’s Cadet Color Guard.
10:00 am — 11:30 am
The Grand Central Key Ceremony features surprise entertainment and presentations from more than a dozen well-known names and faces wishing the Terminal a happy birthday. Ceremony includes special presentations and appearances by:
• Cynthia Nixon, Award-winning actress and NYC resident
• Former U.S. Poet Laureate Billy Collins with an original
poem commissioned by MTA Arts for Transit
• Caroline Kennedy, Author and Preservationist, Honorary Co-Chair of the
Grand Central Centennial Committee
• Grammy Award-winning artist, Melissa Manchester
• Key Ceremony with Vanderbilt Family
• Keith Hernandez, Member of NY Mets World Series Champion Team
• The Celia Cruz Bronx High School Choir
• Peter Stangl, Grand Central Centennial Committee Chairman
• MTA officials, elected officials, and other special guests
• A surprise “sweet” delivery to cap off the event
Noon — 12:30 pm
Terminal receives special honors from the Guinness Book of World Records, the National Park Service, the US Postal Service new stamp release, the National Railway Historical Society, and the American Society of Civil Engineers, with electric violinist Sarah Charness providing a musical opening and closing for the program. Also, stop by the Station Master’s Office to see a replica of the Terminal made of Lego® bricks created and presented by LEGOLAND Discovery Center Westchester.
1:00 pm — 4:00 pm
Celebrations continue in the Main Concourse with music and dance performances from:
• Dancing Classrooms, featured in the film “Mad Hot Ballroom”
• Keigwin + Company, acclaimed contemporary dance company
• The Knicks City Dancers and Kids
• The Westchester Philharmonic Brass Octet
• Cast members of the upcoming musical “Orphan Train”
• Staten Island’s Susan Wagner High School Jazz Band
• Electric violinist, Sarah Charness
7:00 pm — 9:30 pm
Music from Rhythm Collective and Grammy Award-winning big band Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks will keep Terminal visitors dancing and celebrating into the evening!
ALL DAY AROUND THE TERMINAL
Music Under New York performances
1913 PRICING FROM GRAND CENTRAL SHOPS AND RESTAURANTS
*Only available February 1, 2013
• 19¢ ea. shrimp, 13¢ ea. mussels, 13¢ ea. clams at Pescatore
• 10¢ for a side of french fries at Tri Tip Grill *From 11am-3pm
• 5¢ small drip hot coffee at Financier Patisserie *Starting at 12 pm. Limit one per customer
• 10¢ shoe shine at Leather Spa
• 10¢ nylon watch straps from Central Watch *Limited to first 500 customers. Limit one per customer
• 25¢ piece of Legendary Fudge at Li-Lac Chocolates *Limit one per customer
• 19¢ slice of cheesecake at the Oyster Bar & Restaurant *Dine-in only
• 10¢ for bambini scoop of gelato or sorbet at Ciao Bella
• $2 for 100% silk scarves (unisex) at TOTO
• 6¢ loaf of rye bread at Zaro’s Bakery * Shuttle Passage and Grand Central Market locations only. Limit one per customer
• 75¢ Adirondack cocktail at Michael Jordan’s The Steak House N.Y.C.
• 5¢ 1lb box of pasta with purchase of a Ceriello Sauce at Ceriello Fine Foods *until 4pm
SPONSORED GIVEAWAYS AT SPECIAL CENTENNIAL TABLES ON FEBRUARY 1
• Grand Central Centennial Luggage Tags
• Vintage train whistles from Target
• Granola Bars and trail mix from Archer Farms
• Mini men’s and women’s fragrance bottles from Vince Camuto
• Arrowhead studded earrings from Tia’s Place
• Spring rolls from Pescatore
• Financiers from Financier Patisserie
• Starbucks VIA Ready Brew from Starbucks
• “23” cookies from Michael Jordan’s The Steak House N.Y.C.
• Chocolate Hearts from Li-Lac Chocolates
• Package of Masala Chai blend from Café Spice
• Origins iPhone cases from Origins
• Swatch pens from Swatch
• 2 Deluxe samples and an invite to the store for a hand and arm massage from Jo Malone
100 FREE!
First 100 people to make a $50 purchase at Vince Camuto, receive a hot pink Camuto iPhone cover!
A Grand Central Terminal commemorative USPS Express Mail stamp will be available for purchase and cancellation at the Lower Concourse Information Booth from 10am until 3pm.
Main Site
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS ON THE MAIN CONCOURSE
9:30 am — 10:00 am
West Point Brass & Percussion concert and presentation of colors by West Point’s Cadet Color Guard.
10:00 am — 11:30 am
The Grand Central Key Ceremony features surprise entertainment and presentations from more than a dozen well-known names and faces wishing the Terminal a happy birthday. Ceremony includes special presentations and appearances by:
• Cynthia Nixon, Award-winning actress and NYC resident
• Former U.S. Poet Laureate Billy Collins with an original
poem commissioned by MTA Arts for Transit
• Caroline Kennedy, Author and Preservationist, Honorary Co-Chair of the
Grand Central Centennial Committee
• Grammy Award-winning artist, Melissa Manchester
• Key Ceremony with Vanderbilt Family
• Keith Hernandez, Member of NY Mets World Series Champion Team
• The Celia Cruz Bronx High School Choir
• Peter Stangl, Grand Central Centennial Committee Chairman
• MTA officials, elected officials, and other special guests
• A surprise “sweet” delivery to cap off the event
Noon — 12:30 pm
Terminal receives special honors from the Guinness Book of World Records, the National Park Service, the US Postal Service new stamp release, the National Railway Historical Society, and the American Society of Civil Engineers, with electric violinist Sarah Charness providing a musical opening and closing for the program. Also, stop by the Station Master’s Office to see a replica of the Terminal made of Lego® bricks created and presented by LEGOLAND Discovery Center Westchester.
1:00 pm — 4:00 pm
Celebrations continue in the Main Concourse with music and dance performances from:
• Dancing Classrooms, featured in the film “Mad Hot Ballroom”
• Keigwin + Company, acclaimed contemporary dance company
• The Knicks City Dancers and Kids
• The Westchester Philharmonic Brass Octet
• Cast members of the upcoming musical “Orphan Train”
• Staten Island’s Susan Wagner High School Jazz Band
• Electric violinist, Sarah Charness
7:00 pm — 9:30 pm
Music from Rhythm Collective and Grammy Award-winning big band Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks will keep Terminal visitors dancing and celebrating into the evening!
ALL DAY AROUND THE TERMINAL
Music Under New York performances
1913 PRICING FROM GRAND CENTRAL SHOPS AND RESTAURANTS
*Only available February 1, 2013
• 19¢ ea. shrimp, 13¢ ea. mussels, 13¢ ea. clams at Pescatore
• 10¢ for a side of french fries at Tri Tip Grill *From 11am-3pm
• 5¢ small drip hot coffee at Financier Patisserie *Starting at 12 pm. Limit one per customer
• 10¢ shoe shine at Leather Spa
• 10¢ nylon watch straps from Central Watch *Limited to first 500 customers. Limit one per customer
• 25¢ piece of Legendary Fudge at Li-Lac Chocolates *Limit one per customer
• 19¢ slice of cheesecake at the Oyster Bar & Restaurant *Dine-in only
• 10¢ for bambini scoop of gelato or sorbet at Ciao Bella
• $2 for 100% silk scarves (unisex) at TOTO
• 6¢ loaf of rye bread at Zaro’s Bakery * Shuttle Passage and Grand Central Market locations only. Limit one per customer
• 75¢ Adirondack cocktail at Michael Jordan’s The Steak House N.Y.C.
• 5¢ 1lb box of pasta with purchase of a Ceriello Sauce at Ceriello Fine Foods *until 4pm
SPONSORED GIVEAWAYS AT SPECIAL CENTENNIAL TABLES ON FEBRUARY 1
• Grand Central Centennial Luggage Tags
• Vintage train whistles from Target
• Granola Bars and trail mix from Archer Farms
• Mini men’s and women’s fragrance bottles from Vince Camuto
• Arrowhead studded earrings from Tia’s Place
• Spring rolls from Pescatore
• Financiers from Financier Patisserie
• Starbucks VIA Ready Brew from Starbucks
• “23” cookies from Michael Jordan’s The Steak House N.Y.C.
• Chocolate Hearts from Li-Lac Chocolates
• Package of Masala Chai blend from Café Spice
• Origins iPhone cases from Origins
• Swatch pens from Swatch
• 2 Deluxe samples and an invite to the store for a hand and arm massage from Jo Malone
100 FREE!
First 100 people to make a $50 purchase at Vince Camuto, receive a hot pink Camuto iPhone cover!
A Grand Central Terminal commemorative USPS Express Mail stamp will be available for purchase and cancellation at the Lower Concourse Information Booth from 10am until 3pm.
Main Site
This Sunday is the day to ride the subway...
Most people around here have heard about Improv Everywhere. They cause scenes. One of their more popular ones is one they do every year, a MP3 Experiment. The participants download a specific podcast, and meet up at a certain place and all turn it on at the same time, and just follow the directions. There was one done on Roosevelt Island back in 2009.
This Sunday, they will be doing one of their most popular experiments, the No-Pants Subway Ride. This is the 13th year they have done it, and I have yet to see it, so I think I will be taking a subway ride to get some pics. Expect the pantlessness fun to be between 3pm and 5 pm.
The guys usually wear boxers, and the girls usually wear something with plenty of coverage, and it seems to be a fun time, but apparently native New Yorkers are sick of it. I just finished reading this Gothamist article, titled "Destroy The Date" The comments are really funny. It seems to be a fun time and a good way to spend the afternoon.
From the website:
HOW IT WORKS
There are six meeting points this year. Take your pick. The Manhattan meeting points tend to be very crowded, so if you live in Brooklyn or Queens, definitely go to one of those! You’ll probably have more fun! If you are a member of the media, please see our press information page.
Astoria: Meet at Hoyt Playground – Google Map
Brooklyn: Meet by the Old Stone House – Google Map
Downtown Manhattan: Meet at Foley Square – Google Map
Queens: Meet at the Unisphere in Flushing Meadows Park – Google Map
Uptown Manhattan: Meet at the Great Hill in Central Park – Google Map
Williamsburg / Bushwick: Meet at Maria Hernandez Park – Google Map
Everyone should meet at their chosen meeting point at 3 PM. Please be on time. Feel free to be early.
At the meeting points, participants will be organized into groups and assigned a specific train car. Once everyone is divided up we will all head to nearby subway station[s]. Do not talk to others once you enter the subway system. No one knows each other.
Sit in the car as you normally would. Read a magazine or whatever you would normally do. Your team leader will have already divided you into smaller groups, assigning your group a specific stop where you will depants.
This Sunday, they will be doing one of their most popular experiments, the No-Pants Subway Ride. This is the 13th year they have done it, and I have yet to see it, so I think I will be taking a subway ride to get some pics. Expect the pantlessness fun to be between 3pm and 5 pm.
The guys usually wear boxers, and the girls usually wear something with plenty of coverage, and it seems to be a fun time, but apparently native New Yorkers are sick of it. I just finished reading this Gothamist article, titled "Destroy The Date" The comments are really funny. It seems to be a fun time and a good way to spend the afternoon.
From the website:
HOW IT WORKS
There are six meeting points this year. Take your pick. The Manhattan meeting points tend to be very crowded, so if you live in Brooklyn or Queens, definitely go to one of those! You’ll probably have more fun! If you are a member of the media, please see our press information page.
Astoria: Meet at Hoyt Playground – Google Map
Brooklyn: Meet by the Old Stone House – Google Map
Downtown Manhattan: Meet at Foley Square – Google Map
Queens: Meet at the Unisphere in Flushing Meadows Park – Google Map
Uptown Manhattan: Meet at the Great Hill in Central Park – Google Map
Williamsburg / Bushwick: Meet at Maria Hernandez Park – Google Map
Everyone should meet at their chosen meeting point at 3 PM. Please be on time. Feel free to be early.
At the meeting points, participants will be organized into groups and assigned a specific train car. Once everyone is divided up we will all head to nearby subway station[s]. Do not talk to others once you enter the subway system. No one knows each other.
Sit in the car as you normally would. Read a magazine or whatever you would normally do. Your team leader will have already divided you into smaller groups, assigning your group a specific stop where you will depants.
Things to do on Christmas Day
See a festive show Although only a handful of Broadway shows have performances on Christmas Day (and none are that kid-friendly), you can catch the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, the Holiday Circus in Brooklyn, Angelina Ballerina the Very Merry Holiday Musical and The Big Apple Circus: Legendarium on December 25. You can find discounts to most of them on BroadwayBox.com.
Play tourist Times Square's Madame Tussauds, Ripley's Believe it or Not! Odditorium and Discovery Times Square with the cool Harry Potter exhibit are all open on Christmas. Other tourist spots that have December 25 hours are The Empire State Building and Top of the Rock, which gives you a great, crowd-free view of the Rockefeller tree.
Enjoy Chinese and a movie Families of all ethnic backgrounds can experience this Jewish tradition at 92YTribeca, which is offering an all-you-can-eat Chinese buffet followed by a double feature of Back to the Future Parts I and II. Best for tweens and up.
Or just see a movie Cinemas are open on Christmas Day and there are plenty of great family films playing.
Hang with the animals Although the Bronx Zoo is closed for the holiday, the Prospect Park, Queens and Central Park Zoos are all open. You can even watch the animals open their edible presents.
Take a stroll Walk up Fifth Avenue to see the stunning department store holiday windows before they're gone. Assuming it's not too chilly (or rainy or snowy), Christmas is also a great day to take a quiet stroll through one of our city's lovely green spaces. Central, Prospect, Flushing Meadows Corona and Van Cortlandt Parks are all open. Central Park is even hosting a free cross-park promenade tour at 12:30pm.
Celebrate at a Jewish museum Many of NYC's Jewish cultural institutions are open today and offering special family activities. Catch a Klez for Kids concert at the Museum at Eldridge Street and The Macaroons at The Jewish Museum; watch chef George Wong of Chopstix Restaurants carves incredible fruit sculptures at Brooklyn's Jewish Children's Museum; and enjoy a family celebration with crafts, live music and a movie at the Museum of Jewish Heritage.
Hit the ice
Wollman Rink in Prospect Park is closed for construction for the second year in a row. The new rinks are supposed to open next year.
More bad news for Brooklyn: The new McCarren Park Pool will not be turned into an ice-skating rink this season, according to the New York Daily News. Maybe next year.
Meanwhile, Aviator Queens Community Ice Rink, Battery Park City Ice Rink, Polar Rink at the American Museum of Natural History and Seaport Ice are all long gone.
Play tourist Times Square's Madame Tussauds, Ripley's Believe it or Not! Odditorium and Discovery Times Square with the cool Harry Potter exhibit are all open on Christmas. Other tourist spots that have December 25 hours are The Empire State Building and Top of the Rock, which gives you a great, crowd-free view of the Rockefeller tree.
Enjoy Chinese and a movie Families of all ethnic backgrounds can experience this Jewish tradition at 92YTribeca, which is offering an all-you-can-eat Chinese buffet followed by a double feature of Back to the Future Parts I and II. Best for tweens and up.
Or just see a movie Cinemas are open on Christmas Day and there are plenty of great family films playing.
Hang with the animals Although the Bronx Zoo is closed for the holiday, the Prospect Park, Queens and Central Park Zoos are all open. You can even watch the animals open their edible presents.
Take a stroll Walk up Fifth Avenue to see the stunning department store holiday windows before they're gone. Assuming it's not too chilly (or rainy or snowy), Christmas is also a great day to take a quiet stroll through one of our city's lovely green spaces. Central, Prospect, Flushing Meadows Corona and Van Cortlandt Parks are all open. Central Park is even hosting a free cross-park promenade tour at 12:30pm.
Celebrate at a Jewish museum Many of NYC's Jewish cultural institutions are open today and offering special family activities. Catch a Klez for Kids concert at the Museum at Eldridge Street and The Macaroons at The Jewish Museum; watch chef George Wong of Chopstix Restaurants carves incredible fruit sculptures at Brooklyn's Jewish Children's Museum; and enjoy a family celebration with crafts, live music and a movie at the Museum of Jewish Heritage.
Hit the ice
- Ice Rink at Rockefeller Center – Midtown East
Fifth Avenue between 49th and 50th Streets
212-332-7654 - Wollman Rink – Midtown West
Central Park, enter at Central Park South and Sixth Avenue
212-439-6900 - Citi Pond at Bryant Park – Midtown West
Bryant Park, 40th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues
212-661-6640 - Lasker Rink – Harlem
Central Park, enter at 110th Street between Lenox and Fifth Avenues
917-492-3856 - Riverbank State Park – Harlem
145th Street and Riverside Drive
212-694-3642 - The Standard Ice Rink – Meatpacking District
848 Washington Street at 13th Street - Liberty View Ice Rink – Battery Park City
Wagner Park in Battery Park City, north of Historic Battery Park off Battery Place
- WWII Veterans War Memorial Ice Skating Rink – Staten Island
Clove Lakes Park, Victory Boulevard west of Clove Road
718-720-1010
- Van Cortlandt Park Ice Skating Rink – the Bronx
Broadway at 242nd Street
718-760-9001
Wollman Rink in Prospect Park is closed for construction for the second year in a row. The new rinks are supposed to open next year.
More bad news for Brooklyn: The new McCarren Park Pool will not be turned into an ice-skating rink this season, according to the New York Daily News. Maybe next year.
A Staten Island Christmas
The 3rd Borough on our Christmas Tour this year is Staten Island. I have fond memories of spending Christmas Eve on Staten Island, my grandmother lived here, and Christmas Eve was a must, and there were many fun times had...
This year...
The Nutcracker
The Staten Island Ballet's big, lavish take on the traditional Christmas Eve phantasmagoria. It has professional dancers, including special guest Charles Askegard, and settings, sumptuous costumes, a "magic" tree, and a contingent of irrepressible pint-sized dance students. Center For The Arts, College of Staten Island, Bldg. 1P, 2800 Victory Blvd., Willowbrook; SIBallet.org. December 15-16, 1 and 5 p.m. Tickets are $47 and $37 and can be reserved at 718-980-0500.
Beastly Breakfast With Santa
The peacocks, porcupines and pythons have been on their best behavior at this animal house, hence they've earned a visit from St. Nick. Feast on a breakfast buffet with the guest of honor before meeting some animals up close during a docent-led tour of the zoo, who will explain how they deal with winter weather. Staten Island Zoo, 614 Broadway, West Brighton, 718-442-3100; StatenIslandZoo.org. Pre-registration required at 718-442-3101 ext. 33, December 15, 9:30-11:30 a.m. Members: $20. Non-members: $24 (Santa picture included). A paying adult must accompany a paying child. Kids under 3 get in free.
A Majical Musical Winter Solstice Celebration
Loria Ra and Karlus Trapp Productions present The Sistas of Soul Singers with special guest performers telling the story of the transformation and renewal of "Mother Earth, preceded by a crisis, which parallels the main character's transformation and renewal, also preceded by a crisis, through music, song, dance and the spoken word." Proceeds benefit The A.M.E. Food Pantry. Veterans Memorial Hall Theater, Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden, 1000 Richmond Terrace in Livingston, Staten Island. Call 917-971-5136 or visit Snug-Harbor.org. Dec. 21, 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $35 at ShowTix4U.com or call toll free 866-967-8167 (for more info call 917-971-5136). Note: Please bring a canned good(s) to the performance for the food drive.
Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol
Staten Island Shakespearean Theatre presents Charles Dickens' classic cautionary tale of redemption as seen through the eyes of Ebenezer Scrooge's long-deceased partner, the chain-rattling Jacob Marley. Playwright Tom Mula's interpretation of Scrooge's transformation is full of humor, horror and humanity and has become something of a holiday tradition for Island families during the past four years. Directed by Joseph Daly. Starring Jack Dabdoub, Charlie McLaughlin, Joseph Smith and Rina Sklar. Conference House, 7455 Hylan Blvd., 718-984-6046. December 6-7, 14-15 at 8 p.m. and December 16 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $15 ($12, students/seniors) at SISTNY.org.
The Christmas Show
The third-annual culinary and musical journey to the Old Country. Concert vocalist Jenna Esposito and her five-piece band supply the live soundtrack to the four-course dinner and wine pairing. Expect everything from classic carols to nostalgic Italian classics from this young talent, who's headlined everywhere from Feinstein's to Danny's Skylight Room. Lorenzo's Cabaret, Hilton Garden Inn, 1100 South Ave., Bloomfield, 718-477-2400 ext. 5; LorenzosDining.com. December 14 the dinner begins at 7:30 p.m. and showtime at 9:30 p.m. The price is $79.99 per person. Overnight packages start at $175.
Lots of things to do this holiday season on Staten Island!!
found here.
Next week...Christmas in The Bronx.
This year...
The Nutcracker
The Staten Island Ballet's big, lavish take on the traditional Christmas Eve phantasmagoria. It has professional dancers, including special guest Charles Askegard, and settings, sumptuous costumes, a "magic" tree, and a contingent of irrepressible pint-sized dance students. Center For The Arts, College of Staten Island, Bldg. 1P, 2800 Victory Blvd., Willowbrook; SIBallet.org. December 15-16, 1 and 5 p.m. Tickets are $47 and $37 and can be reserved at 718-980-0500.
Beastly Breakfast With Santa
The peacocks, porcupines and pythons have been on their best behavior at this animal house, hence they've earned a visit from St. Nick. Feast on a breakfast buffet with the guest of honor before meeting some animals up close during a docent-led tour of the zoo, who will explain how they deal with winter weather. Staten Island Zoo, 614 Broadway, West Brighton, 718-442-3100; StatenIslandZoo.org. Pre-registration required at 718-442-3101 ext. 33, December 15, 9:30-11:30 a.m. Members: $20. Non-members: $24 (Santa picture included). A paying adult must accompany a paying child. Kids under 3 get in free.
A Majical Musical Winter Solstice Celebration
Loria Ra and Karlus Trapp Productions present The Sistas of Soul Singers with special guest performers telling the story of the transformation and renewal of "Mother Earth, preceded by a crisis, which parallels the main character's transformation and renewal, also preceded by a crisis, through music, song, dance and the spoken word." Proceeds benefit The A.M.E. Food Pantry. Veterans Memorial Hall Theater, Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden, 1000 Richmond Terrace in Livingston, Staten Island. Call 917-971-5136 or visit Snug-Harbor.org. Dec. 21, 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $35 at ShowTix4U.com or call toll free 866-967-8167 (for more info call 917-971-5136). Note: Please bring a canned good(s) to the performance for the food drive.
Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol
Staten Island Shakespearean Theatre presents Charles Dickens' classic cautionary tale of redemption as seen through the eyes of Ebenezer Scrooge's long-deceased partner, the chain-rattling Jacob Marley. Playwright Tom Mula's interpretation of Scrooge's transformation is full of humor, horror and humanity and has become something of a holiday tradition for Island families during the past four years. Directed by Joseph Daly. Starring Jack Dabdoub, Charlie McLaughlin, Joseph Smith and Rina Sklar. Conference House, 7455 Hylan Blvd., 718-984-6046. December 6-7, 14-15 at 8 p.m. and December 16 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $15 ($12, students/seniors) at SISTNY.org.
The Christmas Show
The third-annual culinary and musical journey to the Old Country. Concert vocalist Jenna Esposito and her five-piece band supply the live soundtrack to the four-course dinner and wine pairing. Expect everything from classic carols to nostalgic Italian classics from this young talent, who's headlined everywhere from Feinstein's to Danny's Skylight Room. Lorenzo's Cabaret, Hilton Garden Inn, 1100 South Ave., Bloomfield, 718-477-2400 ext. 5; LorenzosDining.com. December 14 the dinner begins at 7:30 p.m. and showtime at 9:30 p.m. The price is $79.99 per person. Overnight packages start at $175.
Lots of things to do this holiday season on Staten Island!!
found here.
Next week...Christmas in The Bronx.
The Brooklyn Christmas
The Brooklyn Christmas is a very bright one. If you were to do an image search for Christmas in Brooklyn, there would be a few pictures of the Dyker Heights neighborhood. It is well known for beautiful and elaborate lawn displays at this time of year. Homeowners hire teams of workers to put up these elaborate displays, and people come from all over to bask in the holiday glow.
This one is a little more crowded than normal, but you get the basic idea. Any given night during December there is more traffic, as carloads of people come from all over to check out the beautiful lights. Add a trip to get some hot chocolate, and it's an inexpensive, but very festive night!
There is a tree this year at prospect Park, at Grand Army plaza, and the story behind it is inspiring. Last year, the park officials did not have a tree, citing Hurricane Irene and the many trees downed. This year there was a campaign to raise money to have a tree, because Brooklynites really missed it last year. It is there now, and should be lit up soon, so the following picture will be updated.
Next week... a Staten Island Christmas.
Christmas time in NYC
 | |
| From Macy's 2011 windows |
Who can talk about Christmastime in NYC without mentioning The Rockefeller Tree, and the windows all decorated for the holidays?
The Rockefeller Tree arrived this year on November 14, and the tree lighting will be taking place on November 28, Wednesday, from about 7 to 9 pm,with live and taped performances. Rockefeller Plaza is located between W 48th Street and W 51st Street, and 5th Avenue and 6th Avenues.
 |
| from here |
- Barneys is at 660 Madison, at 6th Avenue
- Henri Bendel is at 712 5th Avenue, at 56th Street **
- Bergdorf Goodman is at 754 5th Avenue, at 58th street
- Bloomingdale's is at 1000 3rd Avenue, at 59th Street
- Lord & Taylor is at 424 5th Avenue between 38th and 39th Streets
- Macy's is at 151 West 34th Street at 7th Avenue
- Saks Fifth Avenue is at 611 5th Avenue at 49th Street
- Tiffany & Co. is at 727 5th Avenue between 56th and 57th Streets **
Lord & Taylor and Macy's are a bit out of the way, but the others could be done pretty easy, it's a 5 block West to East, and 12 block North to South block. I recommend going for all of the Northern ones, then a little bit south to Rockefeller Center to see the tree. Then hit a Starbucks for some Hot Chocolate. It is the quintessential NYC Christmas.
Next week, the Brooklyn Christmas...
Union Square Market
We visited the Union Square Market today, and had a really nice afternoon. There were a lot of booths there, and some really friendly people, both manning the booths, and meandering around.
There were so many different kinds of booths, and it changes daily, I
have since found out. The Market is there every Monday, Wednesday,
Friday and Saturday, and here is where you can find out more. They are on Twitter and Facebook, and have activities throughout the day. There is compost recycling available, and cell phone recycling also.
A special treat while we were there, Toni Senecal was there. She is the host of Toni On! New York. I love her show! They were taping for a future show, so I'll have to keep an eye out for it.
There is an EBT (Foodstamps) station there to see if you may qualify every other Wednesday from 10am to 3pm. EBT is accepted at this and many other farmer's Markets in NYC.
Open House New York
Open House NY is a really amazing program that lets you see buildings and beautiful architecture that you normally don't get to see, and it is a great opportunity. One weekend a year, usually in the first 1/2 of October, is when it happens, and this year, it is this weekend. There are many things that need reservations, and they actually stopped taking reservations this morning at 9:30 am, but there is still tons to do without reservations! So much to see...
This is the website, and just click on weekend, then plan your weekend.
Find us on Facebook and Twitter. There are pages up top for both links.
Also check out the Unseen NYC Tours link...fall is a beautiful time to go on a walking tour!
This is the website, and just click on weekend, then plan your weekend.
Find us on Facebook and Twitter. There are pages up top for both links.
Also check out the Unseen NYC Tours link...fall is a beautiful time to go on a walking tour!
25 Fun Free things to do in NYC
In no particular order:
1. Any park in NYC. Put in your hotel address and find the closest one here. A nice break for the kids to relax. And you too...
2. The Staten Island Ferry. Great views of downtown Manhattan, and the Statue of Liberty.
3. The Bronx Zoo: Free on Wednesdays.
4. Brooklyn Botanic Gardens: Free on Tuesdays.
5. Libraries. The main library in Manhattan is amazing, as is the Central branch of the Brooklyn Public Library, seen here.
6. Parades. From Saint Patricks Day to Thanksgiving Day and all of the ones in between. Some even in the other boroughs...
7. The Brooklyn Brewery. They give free tours on the weekends.
8. African Burial Grounds. They are currently renovating, but are scheduled to be open October 4. Check back here to find out the status.
9. City Hall. Lots of history here.
10. Coney Island. The boardwalk and beach are amazing.
11. Federal Reserve Bank. Free, but you have to make reservations.
12. Forbes Collection. I went years ago, and should really go back soon...
13. Grand Central Tour with Justin Ferate. About 2 1/2 to 3 hours, and amazing.
14. Greenwood Cemetery. A nice afternoon's walk in Brooklyn. Events sometimes held here also.
15. Walking the Brooklyn Bridge. Here is a great guide with the ins and outs. I recommend walking across to Brooklyn and checking out the Brooklyn Bridge Park.
16. South Street Seaport. Yes, it's shopping and restaurants, but still just going doesn't cost.
17. High Line. Really cool elevated park that used to be railroad tracks.
18. See a baseball game... Staten Island Yankees. So close to the SI Ferry you can walk.
19. Governor's Island. Weekends all summer. Free ferry, and tons of events.
20. Winter Windows. See the display windows of Barney's, Bloomingdales, Saks Fifth Avenue, Lord and Taylor, and Macy's.
21. TV Audience tapings. You'll need to have advance planning here, but so worth it. Whether it's Live with Kelly or SNL, here is a list of shows that look for audiences.
22. Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens. The Unisphere. Worlds Fair 1964. Big Park, surrounded by Queens Museum, Queens Zoo, NY Hall of Science.
23. MOMA. Free from 4 to 8 on Friday's.
24. American Museum of Natural History. Free for the last hour (4:45 to 5:45)
25. Brooklyn Museum. Free every first Saturday.
1. Any park in NYC. Put in your hotel address and find the closest one here. A nice break for the kids to relax. And you too...
2. The Staten Island Ferry. Great views of downtown Manhattan, and the Statue of Liberty.
3. The Bronx Zoo: Free on Wednesdays.
4. Brooklyn Botanic Gardens: Free on Tuesdays.
5. Libraries. The main library in Manhattan is amazing, as is the Central branch of the Brooklyn Public Library, seen here.
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| from here |
7. The Brooklyn Brewery. They give free tours on the weekends.
8. African Burial Grounds. They are currently renovating, but are scheduled to be open October 4. Check back here to find out the status.
9. City Hall. Lots of history here.
10. Coney Island. The boardwalk and beach are amazing.
11. Federal Reserve Bank. Free, but you have to make reservations.
12. Forbes Collection. I went years ago, and should really go back soon...
13. Grand Central Tour with Justin Ferate. About 2 1/2 to 3 hours, and amazing.
14. Greenwood Cemetery. A nice afternoon's walk in Brooklyn. Events sometimes held here also.
15. Walking the Brooklyn Bridge. Here is a great guide with the ins and outs. I recommend walking across to Brooklyn and checking out the Brooklyn Bridge Park.
16. South Street Seaport. Yes, it's shopping and restaurants, but still just going doesn't cost.
17. High Line. Really cool elevated park that used to be railroad tracks.
18. See a baseball game... Staten Island Yankees. So close to the SI Ferry you can walk.
19. Governor's Island. Weekends all summer. Free ferry, and tons of events.
20. Winter Windows. See the display windows of Barney's, Bloomingdales, Saks Fifth Avenue, Lord and Taylor, and Macy's.
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| Macy's 2011 |
22. Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens. The Unisphere. Worlds Fair 1964. Big Park, surrounded by Queens Museum, Queens Zoo, NY Hall of Science.
23. MOMA. Free from 4 to 8 on Friday's.
24. American Museum of Natural History. Free for the last hour (4:45 to 5:45)
25. Brooklyn Museum. Free every first Saturday.
Williamsburg Bank Building and Barclays Center
The Williamsburg Bank building in Brooklyn was once the tallest building in the borough. It is 37 floors and 512 feet high. (The highest building is now the Brooklyner, completed in 2010, which stands at 515 feet high, and 51 floors.) The old bank building is now luxury condos.
It is also the winter home of Brooklyn Flea. Last November, it set up house in One Hanson place when it got too cold to have the flea market outdoors. Looks like it will be the same this year...
Being built nearby is the Barclay Center. It's location is close to the Atlantic subway station, with 9 subway lines going thru it and the LIRR, making it one of the most transit accessible locations in the city.
The first concert series at this venue will be Jay Z on September 28 thru October 6. All shows were sold out after the first day they went on sale. He also happens to be part owner of the basketball team that will call Barclay Center home, the Brooklyn Nets.
It is also the winter home of Brooklyn Flea. Last November, it set up house in One Hanson place when it got too cold to have the flea market outdoors. Looks like it will be the same this year...
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| from Conde Nast Traveler |
Being built nearby is the Barclay Center. It's location is close to the Atlantic subway station, with 9 subway lines going thru it and the LIRR, making it one of the most transit accessible locations in the city.
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| from flickr |
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| from Barclay Center |
NYC Parks and Playgrounds
I have to give props to the NYC Parks department, I LOVE the parks!! There are so many of them, you can find them everywhere. Almost all of them have some kind of water feature, so if you have kids, throw on their suits and they can go nuts, cool off, and for free!!
There is a playground in Manhattan, at Union Square Park that just opened after a few years of renovation, and it is now 3 times the size it was before.
Also in Central Park, Heckscher Playground is 3 acres of fun stuff to do. At the south end of the park, it is fun for all ages.
I found this awesome Playground Explorer that covers ALL of NYC.
Pics of Dyker Playground to come.....I will be visiting there this afternoon.....
**UPDATE**
My camera has decided to stop working, so pictures will have to wait until April. Sorry!!
There is a playground in Manhattan, at Union Square Park that just opened after a few years of renovation, and it is now 3 times the size it was before.
Also in Central Park, Heckscher Playground is 3 acres of fun stuff to do. At the south end of the park, it is fun for all ages.
I found this awesome Playground Explorer that covers ALL of NYC.
Pics of Dyker Playground to come.....I will be visiting there this afternoon.....
**UPDATE**
My camera has decided to stop working, so pictures will have to wait until April. Sorry!!
The Parks and their attractions
When you think of parks and main attractions in NYC, you think of Central Park and the American Museum of Natural History, the Central Park Zoo, the Guggenheim, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This is the Delacourt Clock located between the Zoo and the Children's Zoo at 65th Street:
But most of the tourists who converge to Manhattan forget about the other 4 boroughs, and I have a few museums and attractions all in or near parks from each borough that are must sees.
Lets start off in Brooklyn. All in the Prospect Park area there is the Brooklyn Children's Museum, the Brooklyn Museum, the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens, the Prospect Park Zoo, and the Brooklyn Public Library. The park itself is wonderful, a playground on the west side, fun for the kids!! At the main entrance to the park is this arch:
Up in Queens, there are a few to see, too. The New York Hall of Science is located in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, along with the Queens Botanical Gardens, Queens Museum of Art, and the Queens Zoo.
If anyone has seen Men in Black they will recognize this. This is the Unisphere an in the background the Observation Tower of the New York State Pavillion from the World's Fair.
On to the Bronx, and the biggest park there is the Van Cortlandt Park. What it lacks in attractions around it, it makes up for in the park itself. There are hiking trails, tennis courts, four playgrounds, and the country's oldest golf course. This is one of the entrances:
Still in the Bronx, there is the Bronx Park, home to the Bronx Zoo, and the Bronx Botanical Gardens.
I have saved Staten Island for last, not because it is the worst, but it is a different kind of animal. There is more car traffic there and a lot less in the way of pedestrians, so things are a little more spread out. In St. George, across from the ferry terminal is the courthouse and Borough Hall. Behind that is the St. George Public Library and the St. George Theatre. Also in the area is The Staten Island Museum, and the Richmond County Bank Ballpark, which is home for the Staten Island Yankees. In order to get to Staten Island , you would need to take the ferry from Manhattan:
All in all, New York City is not just Manhattan, and I think it is time that the tour books take some of the focus off and start putting in more of Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island.
But most of the tourists who converge to Manhattan forget about the other 4 boroughs, and I have a few museums and attractions all in or near parks from each borough that are must sees.
Lets start off in Brooklyn. All in the Prospect Park area there is the Brooklyn Children's Museum, the Brooklyn Museum, the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens, the Prospect Park Zoo, and the Brooklyn Public Library. The park itself is wonderful, a playground on the west side, fun for the kids!! At the main entrance to the park is this arch:
Up in Queens, there are a few to see, too. The New York Hall of Science is located in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, along with the Queens Botanical Gardens, Queens Museum of Art, and the Queens Zoo.
If anyone has seen Men in Black they will recognize this. This is the Unisphere an in the background the Observation Tower of the New York State Pavillion from the World's Fair.
On to the Bronx, and the biggest park there is the Van Cortlandt Park. What it lacks in attractions around it, it makes up for in the park itself. There are hiking trails, tennis courts, four playgrounds, and the country's oldest golf course. This is one of the entrances:
Still in the Bronx, there is the Bronx Park, home to the Bronx Zoo, and the Bronx Botanical Gardens.
I have saved Staten Island for last, not because it is the worst, but it is a different kind of animal. There is more car traffic there and a lot less in the way of pedestrians, so things are a little more spread out. In St. George, across from the ferry terminal is the courthouse and Borough Hall. Behind that is the St. George Public Library and the St. George Theatre. Also in the area is The Staten Island Museum, and the Richmond County Bank Ballpark, which is home for the Staten Island Yankees. In order to get to Staten Island , you would need to take the ferry from Manhattan:
All in all, New York City is not just Manhattan, and I think it is time that the tour books take some of the focus off and start putting in more of Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island.
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