Nothing Says the Holidays Like a Two-Ton Snowflake

What with the commercials, Sidewalk Santas, holiday windows, and endless catalogues, Christmas in New York seems to be in attack mode this year, earlier than ever—we haven’t even reached Thanksgiving yet.
And the bulk of the holiday madness is yet to come.
Still, if you'd like to ease into the holidays more gradually, and remember what they’re really about, check out the UNICEF snowflake on 57th street and 5th Avenue, near the Louis Vuitton Store.
Last night Lucy Liu (“Charlie’s Angels,” etc.), a UNICEF ambassador, flipped the switch that lights up the enormous crystal snowflake that hangs high above 57th Street. (It’s hard to see during the day; try planning to be there early evening if possible.)
The snowflake weighs in at more than 3,300 pounds, contains 16,000 Baccarat crystals, and is 23 feet in diameter and 28 feet tall. It’s also billed as the largest outdoor chandelier of its kind. Yes, that gave us pause too. (Are there many more of their kind?? It makes them sound kind of like aliens, and that attack-mode comment was just a joke…)
If there seems to be a disconnect between the Baccarat crystal part, the fact that the reception was held in the Louis Vuitton store, and the relationship with UNCIEF, remember that in fact UNICEF has helped save the lives of more kids worldwide than any other humanitarian organization.
The snowflake will remain lit until January 3rd.

Wondering Where Your Train Is? A New Clock May Help You Figure It Out

In the never-ending annals of the never-ending plans for New York’s vastly complicated transportation system comes some (potentially) good news: Countdown clocks will be arriving at several subway stations by the end of next month, with others to follow.
An announcement was made Monday that subway riders on the number 6 train will be the first to utilize the countdown clocks. Three stations in the Bronx will lead off, followed by the rest of the 6 line and all other lines by the end of 2010 or beginning of 2011. Nearly 150 other stations along the 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 lines will be rolled out in addition to the 6 line.
Wondering about the 7 line? It was supposed to get the clocks as part of a separate project that was due to be completed in 2006. It’s now (obviously) many years overdue, and the original price tag of $170 million is now projected at closer to $200 million--just for that line.
The separate $200 million project for the other lines has encountered a number of snafus, including a serious flaw in the software that was discovered a year into the project.
At the moment, countdown clocks can be found only on the L and the 34th Street bus corridor.
Bus riders, take heart--clocks are due to be installed at the 50th Street route as well—but no launch date (surprise, surprise) has been set.

Craving a Gallon of Salad Dressing? Costco Comes to NYC

Admit it: you’ve woken up at 3:00 AM longing for a giant tub of mayonnaise. Or maybe it was the 10:00 AM craving for 20 rolls of toilet paper. Whatever the desire for the oversized; the excessive amounts; or just the proverbial low, low prices, your wishes have been fulfilled: The first Costco has opened in New York City.
The mega-deal store is the first tenant in the new East River Plaza, a “big-box” shopping center off the FDR Drive on 116th street. The store, clocking in at 110,000 square feet, will also welcome neighbors Best Buy, Marshalls, and—be still my heart--Target in the next few months.
Costco execs looked for years to round out their offerings of Costco stores in the city (the others are in Queens, Brooklyn, and Staten Island). The same spot was deemed too pricey a few years ago--but thanks to the recession, the space is now going for 30 percent less than was originally offered.
Buyers must fork over an annual membership fee—but at the Manhattan location, offerings include wildly reduced Ugg Boots and Seven for All Mankind jeans—not to mention Cartier jewelry and Rolex watches.
Is it too far uptown for many New Yorkers? We’re willing to bet that for off-price designer goods, discounted bestsellers, coveted makeup brands and oversized boxes of pasta, New Yorkers will go just about anywhere--especially if it’s in their own backyard.

The Tree We've All Been Waiting For Has Arrived

It’s heeeeere! The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree has arrived.
The 76-foot-high Norway spruce, which belonged to fifth-grade teacher Maria Corti, was cut down in Easton, Conn. yesterday. It was transported to New York City on a special flatbed truck, and was hoisted into place this morning. (The tree generally travels during the night with a police escort; it usually takes 15-20 people and a 280-ton crane to handle the behemoth.)
The tree clocks in at more than 10 tons; it's 40 feet in diameter. Minimum requirements say that the tree must be at least 65 feet tall and 35 feet wide; although between 75 and 90 feet high is favored. A Norway spruce is generally preferred (they’re not native to this country, but many were planted ornamentally), and if you were wondering, no money changes hands--it’s the pride of having your tree assume its place near the Prometheus Statue and the ice skating rink.
The tree will be covered in scaffolding as workers start adorning it--over five miles of lights are used to decorate the tree every year.
The first Rockefeller Center Christmas tree was erected in 1931 as workers were building the complex during the depression. First tree lighting? 1933.
The tree is located in the center of the plaza, at 50th Street and 5th Avenue. The official tree lighting is on December 2.

Elmo Doesn't Look A Day Over 3, But Sesame Street is 40

In the beginning, Cookie Monster smoked a pipe (only occasionally, and only in character as Alistair Cookie), the streets were dirty, and buildings were covered in graffiti. For four decades, however, generations of kids have known how to get to “Sesame Street,” which celebrates its fortieth anniversary today. Mayor Bloomberg has declared Broadway and 64th Street--you guessed it--Sesame Street, and today is officially ”Sesame Street Day” in New York City.
The show, which films in New York, has been gussied up through the years and, some may argue, is less appealing for its PC focus. (Yoga? Tofu? Really?) But as, perhaps, the best loved, most popular, and most influential children’s show ever, still known for its trademark goofiness, it deserves every accolade it’s afforded.
The special guest today is Michelle Obama; she suggests that Oscar the Grouch take a bath, and he is understandably concerned by this notion because he might get clean.
If it weren’t for “Sesame Street,” we wouldn't have Elmo or Big Bird or the Muppets. We wouldn’t have seen a children’s show cross boundaries of race and deal with issues like the death of a character, long before other shows tackled those issues. Numerous kids wouldn't have seen their own urban environment reflected on TV, and adults wouldn't have known that children’s shows could be for them, too.
But most of all, we wouldn’t have had the sheet revelry and zaniness that is the show’s hallmark. Generations of kids would still have learned their ABC’s—but perhaps not with as much sheer delight as they did on Sesame Street.

Goodbye to the Stables? Carriage Horses Will be Trotting Away

What’s more iconic than a horse-drawn carriage ride around Central Park? What says “New York” more then the clip clopping of horse’s hooves near the Plaza?
OK, maybe many things, but that’s certainly up there.
It turns out that, as of this winter, more than two dozen New York City carriage horses may be out of a home and therefore, will be out of work (as will their drivers.)
Shamrock Stables, home to the carriage horses, has been ordered by the city’s Housing Preservation and Development Agency to vacate its current space by the end of December.
Thirteen hundred units of affordable housing, 10,000 feet of retail space, and a new school will be moving into the space on West 45th Street.
Manhattan does have four other stables—all located in the west 30s, 40s and 50s--but they’re all full up, especially during the holidays.
It’s not just that the horses themselves take up a lot of room--the 700 bales of hay they eat every two weeks, as well as a great deal of equipment, also needs to be factored in.
The stables will most likely remain open through the holidays, a peak time for the horse-drawn carriages because of both the influx of tourists and the holiday spirit that seizes many New Yorkers. (Ah, a winter ride through the snowy park…)
Animal-rights activists have long protested the stables and working conditions of the horses in the city, while others feel they are an essential part of New York.
In addition, the stables were definitely ready for their close-up: The long-running TV series ”Law and Order” filmed there several times.

Coolest iphone App Yet? It Might Be The Museum of the Phantom City

This is New York, so you can go on pretty much any kind of walking or bus tour in the city you can dream up, from "Sex and the City” venues to lower east side foods. But a tour of places that never were?
Welcome to the very cool new iphone app “Museum of the Phantom City.”
The app examines 50 architectural sites in New York that never got off the drawing board, from Buckminster Fuller’s plan for a “Mini Earth”—a miniature globe suspended by cables across from the United Nations Building—to a heliport on top of Bryant Park that could have doubled as an air raid shelter. A number of the proposals from the mid-twentieth century, in fact, show unease over the Cold War and potential attacks.
Got some time on your hands? You can walk around the city and actually check out the sites where the projects would have been, if you want, using your phone like a museum audioguide of sorts.
The plan was developed by Irene Cheng and Brett Snyder, founders of a design studio, in conjunction with The Van Alen Institute, a nonprofit architectural institute.
Don’t have an iphone or can’t borrow one? Check out phantomcity.org.
So are these things-that-never-were a missed-the-boat alternative future? Lost opportunities? Monstrosities that are better relegated to the drawing board?
Whatever they are, this intersection of architecture and technology is whole lot more interesting than apps for finding the nearest deli.

USS New York Has Docked At Its Namesake

Utilizing 7.5 tons of steel from the World Trade Center, the USS New York steamed into New York on Monday, paused at the World Trade Center site, and finally docked in midtown Manhattan.
The 684-foot ship (an amphibious assault dock, a kind of warship, for those who wish to be specific) will spend the week in New York before being officially commissioned on Saturday. The steel from the Twin Towers was welded into her bow after the attacks of September 11, 2001. She’s here for a full military commissioning ceremony on November 7 before entering active service with the US Navy. Her homeport will be in Norfolk, VA.
For information on public visits, check out ussny.org., where you can also find other info. and cool facts about the ship.
Oh, and if you feel the urge to do something nice for the ship, to give a little something to her--for whatever reason—the ship has its own Tiffany registry.
Yes, really.
The wish list includes a sterling silver Chippendale tray (listed at $2,868.75); a Queen Anne teapot ($4,250) and, for penny pinchers, a $173.75 Hampton fish knife. What a deal!
Don’t worry--she does come with something of a dowry, including about 15 serving pieces passed on from the last USS New York, commissioned in 1911.
And if that’s more than you gave your best friend for her wedding, well, you can always just go peek at her in the harbor.

No, You're Not Imagining It: That Taxi Ride Costs More

If your taxi ride seems pricier than it did last week, you’re not hallucinating: A fare increase went into effect in New York City yesterday (Sunday, Nov.1). Merely getting into a cab will now cost you 50 cents more than it did on Saturday: The fare has been raised from $2.50 to $3.00.
But the extra money isn’t going into the drivers’ pockets: the surcharge was ordered by state officials to help the MTA with a massive (1.8 billion dollar) shortfall.
Although it may seem like fares get higher and higher every day in New York, this is actually the first fare increase since the $2 fare was raised in 2004.
Each additional fifth of a mile will stay at 40 cents.
The city has 13,237 licensed yellow cabs; the surcharge on fares will bring in about $85 million.
Other parts of the plan include a payroll tax of 34 cents per $100 on employers in 12 counties served by the authority. An increase on bus and subway fares went into effect last June.
No one said New York was cheap, but this kind of increase will most definitely be felt by riders. It’s being done without a huge amount of fanfare, either, so many who glance at the fare maybe surprised.
While you’re saving your quarters, may we suggest walking?

Get Your Scare on and Join the Village Halloween Parade

You either love it or you hate it, but it’s probably safe to say that Halloween in New York is not like Halloween anywhere else. Today’s the big day, and with the plethora of catalogues that start arriving in July, pop-up Halloween stores, and events around the city, Halloween has reached the status of a seriously major occurrence. (Many of us grew up in an era where our moms just threw together a few sheets to make us into ghosts, and that was it.)
And with Halloween comes the biggest Halloween event of all—New York City’s Village Halloween parade.(It's included in the book "100 Things to Do Before You Die."
This year marks the event’s 36th anniversary, with the theme “Terra Incognita”; it celebrates the ancient mariners exploring undiscovered waters. (Interpret as you wish.) The parade, which wends its way up Sixth Avenue, starts south of Spring Street and north of Canal Street. Revelers can gather between 6:30 and 8:30 pm; the parade officially kicks off at 7:00 PM.
The spectacle offers one of the more over-the-top, exhibitionist Halloween events anywhere in the country—all in the confines of an organized event. Along with the marchers, musical acts, circus performers and puppeteers--one of the parade’s highlights—join the throngs.
Parade-ers have to be in costume to join, but spectators--sometimes more than 2 million of them--are welcome. Only costumed participants are allowed in the parade itself. Abandon normal clothing, all ye who enter there.
Not brave (or foolish) enough to participate or watch it in person? Never mind--it’s being broadcast on NY1 from 8-9:30 pm tonight.

There's No Place Like a Train for the Holidays: Get on Board for "A Christmas Carol"

So you still haven’t decided where to put Uncle Mel at the Thanksgiving table, but never mind--wire your brain to skip ahead, because big Christmas movie releases wait for no relative.
This Friday–Sunday (Oct. 30-Nov.1) Disney’s “Christmas Carol” Train pulls into New York’s Grand Central Station, the last stop on its 40-stop tour across the country. (Track 37; 9 am -7 pm, Fri and Sat; 9 am-4 pm on Sun.) The occasion? The upcoming release of Disney’s big holiday movie "A Christmas Carol.”
The tour started in Los Angeles’ Union Station last May (no, really), and spent the summer and early fall traveling across the country, covering more than 16,000 miles of track and touching in points from Santa Fe to St. Louis, Oklahoma City to Omaha.
Each train car (yes, they will remain stationery) showcases a different aspect of the film’s production, and activities galore are on board for guests of all ages; you can check out objects from the Charles Dickens Museum in London; wander through digital galleries; and even be serenaded by holiday carolers. And yes, you can also(no surprise) catch a glimpse of a pivotal scene (so we’re told) in the 3-D film.
The walk-through takes about an hour; lines are expected to be long; but--on the upside—the tour is free, and no reservations are needed.
So get into the holiday spirit--even if you’re still several holidays behind.

Feel the Earth Move? It's the New York City Police

It’s not an earthquake or the fallout from a noisy party--it’s the New York City Police, and while they might not have their phasers on stun, they now have their cars on vibrate. Twenty-five New York City police cars were outfitted last week with a device called "The Rumbler," and another hundred plus were added earlier this week. The devices were tested in precincts throughout the city for almost a year before they were rolled out.
What’s the point? Well, gabbing on your cell or to a friend next to you; texting; listening to your ipod; or merely being lost in a fantasy of moving to Barbados will no longer be enough to distract you from police vehicles trying to get through city traffic.
The device emits a low-frequency sound wave that can be felt by pedestrians as well as drivers up to 200 feet away. In the car? No use trying to turn up your stereo to ear-popping levels, yelling at the kids in the backseat, or rolling up your windows—the vibrations can still be felt; it’s rumored that they may even be strong enough to rattle a rear-view mirror. Hmm.
The system makes sense, sort of, since many New Yorkers seem oblivious to police cars trying to get by, especially at crowded intersections. Will the vibrations cause pedestrians to jump aside in panic or merely stand there dumfounded?
Well, the new system will certainly grab everyone’s attention.
Note: Any jokes—lewd or otherwise—that you are thinking of making have undoubtedly been made, most likely by the police themselves.

Halloween Frights Galore Set Sail on the USS Intrepid

You may have noticed a distinct uptick in the number of witches, ninjas, and French maids on the streets of New York--and yes, that could just be everyday wear, given that it is New York, but in this case, it does mean that Halloween doth approach, so get thee to a pumpkin-carving class, or at least, get yourself some bat ears and try to feel festive.
To get you in the proper ghoulish mood, The USS Intrepid (Pier 86; West 46th Street and 12th Avenue; 877-957 SHIP; or 212-245-0072) has started the festivities early, with “Haunting on the Hudson,” a week of Halloween-y fun, running through Sunday, November 1.
The Haunted House part of the festivities allows guests to meander through the frightfully decorated Combat Information Center (there’s a joke in there somewhere…) and every day this week, visitors can catch a “Grumpkin” carving demonstration. (What is a Grumpkin? Well may you ask. They’re weird sculptures carved from giant fruit, and, as you can tell by their names, smiling cheerily is not in their nature.)
Things get creepier as the week progresses, with the bulk of the events happening, of course, on October 31. Magic Shows, stilt walkers (scary? who knows); face painting; storytelling; crystal balls or fortunetellers; and “Interactive Statue Scarecrows” all abound. That last one is enough to have us running from the ship.
If you’re made of stronger stuff, “Operation Slumber” commences on Halloween night; visitors can spend the night (ooh, creepy!), and also participate in a treasure hunt; watch a movie; hear haunted tales about the Intrepid; and finally, go to sleep (or not) on the aircraft carrier.
Well, it’ll make a good story.

Got God? Maybe Not on the New York City Subway System

If you’re used to seeing ads for community colleges, lurid best bestsellers, and video game systems on the New York City subway system, get ready for something completely different: Ads for a coalition of eight atheist organizations start running today, October 26.
About a dozen subway stations across the city will start running the ads, which bear the tagline: “A million New Yorkers are good without God. Are you?” The words appear over a blue sky with fluffy white clouds.
The Big Apple Coalition for Reason decided that putting up the ads in the subway provided the most potential viewership—and since the New York City subway system serves more than 5 million riders per day, they’re probably right. The groups in the coalition include the Secular Humanist Society of New York and the New York Center for Inquiry.
The campaign came about when The United Coalition of Reason, a national organization, approached the New York atheist associations over the summer. An anonymous source had offered to help pay for the subway campaign, and thus were the ads born.
Will we see a backlash? In a city that regularly sees ads for strip clubs and escort services splashed across public areas, is religion the last taboo?
Well, an American Religious Identification Survey released earlier this year showed a shift in religious identity in this country: Those checking "none" for religion rose from 8 percent in 1990 to 15 percent in 2008.
We’ll see if atheist-themed blue skies or bedroom-eyed blondes cause more of a ruckus.

Frank Lloyd Wright's Spiralling Legacy: The Guggenheim Turns 50

New York’s legendary, can’t-miss-it, doesn’t-look-like-anything-else-in-the-world Guggenheim Museum turned 50 last week. If you missed the glowing red lights on top of the Empire State Building in honor of the event, don’t worry--great stuff is happening all year long.
For starters, the Guggenheim highlights the paintings of Vasily Kandinsky, whose work has been an intrinsic part of the Museum’s history. Kandinsky’s work, which focuses on non-objective painting, represents a kind of abstraction in which no recognizable imagery can be seen; before the Guggenheim was, well, the Guggenheim, it was The Museum of Non-Objective Painting, in large part due to its focus on Kandinsky’s work.
As you travel up and down the famous spiral ramp in the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed building, you can also catch a sculptural installation by Indian-born artist Anish Kapoor, who has had a profound impact on modern sculpture with his fresh approach to material, color and scale. “Memory,” which was commissioned by the museum, is on view through March 28.
While you’re there, take a moment to stand on the ramp and gaze upwards at the extraordinary views and use of space. Wright was not a fan of New York or cities in general, so the museum was built near Central Park to take advantage of its proximity to nature. We can only be glad that it was.
The museum is located at 1071 Fifth Avenue at 89th Street. Call 212- 423-3500 for more information.

The Tent is Up and the Trapeze is Swinging: The Big Apple Circus is Back

We’ve had three-ring circuses, new-wave circuses, and backyard circuses--but for many of us, the most charming has to be the one-ring show, as exemplified by The Big Apple Circus; it has just set up shop in New York City for a three-month run, through Jan. 17.
The familiar big tent behind Lincoln Center plays host to this season’s incarnation, “Bello is Back,” and for many New Yorkers, that’s big news. The legendary performer with the sky-high hair defected for a while to the Ringling Bros. Circus, but has returned to perform his feats of derring-do in an arena where no seat is more than 50 feet away from the action. For those who follow such things, “Time” Magazine recently named him “America’s Best Clown.”
This year, the performers include juggler Picasso Jr. from Spain; the Russian Aniskan troupe (trampoline and trapeze); and perennial favorite Grandma the Clown. (Thank goodness, no scary, leering clowns at this circus). And all the action takes place in one ring, so no one in the audience is frantically trying to see the pink poodles and the guy on the tiny bike at the same time. (No, thankfully, this circus actually has neither.)
The Big Apple Circus, FYI, also manages some stellar community programs throughout the city, going into schools and hospitals. Big-name performers; even bigger hearts.
To order tickets, call 888-541-3750; to enter the big tent, go to 62nd Street between Columbus and Amsterdam Avenues.
You can't miss it.

Will it Play in Peoria? Shrek the Musical to Close on Broadway

He may have survived any number of obstacles to win the heart of his true love, Princess Fiona, but New York’s Broadway stage seems to have been unconquerable—the announcement was made by the producers yesterday (Oct. 21) that Shrek would be galloping across his swamp no more—“Shrek the Musical” will end its run on Jan, 3, 1010.
The musical, which encapsulates several of the plots about the ogre and his exploits from the “Shrek” movies, will have had 441 performances and 37 previews at the Broadway Theatre when it closes.
The musical received eight Tony Award nominations in 2009 (and won one for Best Costume Design in a Musical). Although it had a very strong holiday season last year, "Shrek" never received either the critical or word-of-mouth encouragement it needed to stay afloat. The musical received only lukewarm reviews, at best, when it opened, and with the economy in freefall, parents are being more discerning about what kind of family entertainment they choose and where to put their dollars.
Insiders--and those who simply read the newspaper--may have figured out recently that something was up--a near frenzy of special promotions have been advertised or hinted at lately.
Is there life for Shrek, Fiona, Donkey and the rest after New York? Maybe Midwesterners will prove to have different tastes: A limited national tour of “Shrek” will run from July 13-Sept. 5, starting at Chicago’s Cadillac Palace Theatre.

El Museo del Barrio Reopens to the Public

After completing the first phase of extensive ongoing renovations, New York’s El Museo del Barrio has just reopened to the public in the first phase of their ongoing redevelopment. (It’s located at 1230 Fifth Avenue at 104th Street; 212 831-7927.)
The city’s only Latino Institution on Museum Mile (a group of Museums on Upper Fifth Avenue) is also marking its 40th anniversary, with a year-long display of exhibitions, performances and public programming.
The Museum was founded in 1969 by artist/educator Raphael Montanez Ortiz and a group of parents, educators, activists and artists who wanted more focus on Latin artists by mainstream museums. It now houses more than 6,500 objects that span more than 800 years of Caribbean, Latin American and Latino art, including pre-Columbia Taino objects; contemporary prints and photographs; and documentary films and video.
With Phase 1 complete, the Museum showcases its new Carmen Ana Unanue galleries that will host its permanent collection. The next phase will concentrate on the 104th Street lobby of the Heckscher Building as well as work in El Teatro.
The Museum reopens with an exhibition titled “Nexus New York: Latin/American Artists in the Modern Metropolis,” which focuses on the Caribbean and Latin American artists who lived in New York pre-World War 1, and were instrumental in shaping the American avant-garde.

Lock Up Your Livestock! Monty Python is Back For One Night Only

Can it be? Can the creators of the Ministry of Silly Walks, the search for the Holy Grail, the flying cows over the battlements and other classic bits really be turning 40 this year? Indeed, they are: Monty Python celebrates the big 4-0 with a one-night-only reunion event at New York’s Ziegfeld Theater this Thursday, October 15, at 7:00 PM. Five of the original founders (John Cleese; Terry Gilliam; Eric Idle; Terry Jones; Michael Palin) will celebrate with a shortened screening of the documentary “Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer’s Cut)”; followed by a Q&A session and reminiscences from the troupe. The film includes appearances by Lorne Michaels (“Saturday Night Live”); Eddie Izzard; and Jimmy Fallon, among others.
Oh, yes, word on the street is that there will also be a presentation of some type of award---but with the Pythons, who knows what that means.
Organized by the Independent Film Channel and The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA), the event is scarce on tickets, but you can try calling the theater at (212) 765-7600.
And, in a spirit befitting the group, rumor has it that the sixth Python, Graham Chapman, who died in 1989, will also (somehow) be incorporated into the evening’s festivities.
Don’t ask.
A six-hour version of “Almost the Truth” will air on IFC on October 18.

One Ring to Rule Us All: Lord of the Rings Takes Over New York

Frodophiles, Tolkien lovers, followers of Middle Earth and Ring questers, unite: It’s a “Lord of the Rings” weekend in New York.
Tonight and tomorrow (Oct. 9 and 10) is the big event: a screening of the movie on a 60-foot screen at Radio City Music Hall (7:30 pm) while the complete original score (written by Howard Shore) is performed by a live orchestra. Singers including the Brooklyn Youth Chorus and the Collegiate Chorale will accompany Switzerland’s 21st Century Orchestra.
The screening of the 178-minute version of “The Fellowship of the Ring” will include (whew) an intermission, and Maestro Ludwig Wicki will conduct using a laptop computer that will run Auricle, a system that will indicate starting and stopping points as well as tempo. Radio City is located at 1260 Avenue of the Americas (between 50th and 51st Streets; call (212) 247-4777 for more information.
For the more aesthetically inclined, an exhibit entitled “The Beginnings of a Masterpiece: Original Manuscripts from The Fellowship of the Ring” will be on view at the Gerald M. Quinn Library at Lincoln Center (113 West 60th Street) through November 19. Forty items will be on display, including Middle Earth calendars; notes about Tolkien's invented languages; plot notes, and original drawings. (A valid ID is needed to enter the Library.) The manuscripts are part of Marquette’s University’s extensive JRR Tolkien Collection; it's the first time these works have been on view in New York. Admission is free; call (212) 636-6538 for more information.
Everyone together now: One ring to rule them all….

The Recession's Still Here? Let's Open a Store! Tommy Hilfiger on Fifth Avenue

If you are a retailer or designer and the economy is in terrible shape, you
A) Lie low, eat a lot of cookies, and hope the recession ends soon
B) 2) Open a multi-million dollar retail emporium on New York’s Fifth Avenue
C) 3) Start manufacturing rayon socks to sell in 99-cent stores
The answer is B—at least if you’re Tommy Hilfiger (or at least his sportswear company), whose company recently opened just such a store on Fifth Avenue in New York City in the middle of the worst recession in years.
Hilfiger is best known for his mid-priced American sportswear, and while Fifth Avenue may not seem like a natural habitat, stores like Abercrombie and Fitch and even the Gap have found a home there; it’s a natural Mecca for tourists. The 22,000 square-foot store (681 Fifth Avenue; between 53rd and 54th Streets) occupies the space formerly held by Fortunoff for 30 years. The store offers four floors of goods, and is the first to offer everything Tommy Hilfiger, from men and womenswear to accessories, denim and its home collection.
How much will this gambit cost? Estimates put the rent at around $1500 per square foot. If you're feverishly doing the calculations, trust us--that’s a lot of sunglasses he has to sell every year.
His clothes may not be couture--but opening a store like that in the middle of this economy is certainly a luxury.

Carnegie Hall Opens Its New Season

According to many classical music buffs, with New York’s Carnegie Hall opening its season tonight, Thursday, October 1, the fall cultural season in the city has officially begun.
Kicking off the 119th season is Opening Night with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, led by Daniele Gatti, with the renowned Evgeny Kissin on piano.
The program includes Beethoven’s Coriolan Overture, Op. 62, and Debussy’s La Mer; as well as the New York premiere of John Williams’ On Willows and Birches. (Yes, that John Williams; let no one say that the man who wrote the “Star Wars” theme isn’t diverse.)
While Carnegie Hall is of course best known for classical music, it offers a surprisingly wide repertoire of events for all tastes.
When December rolls around, do you crave loud, glitzy holiday cheer? Celebrate with The New York Pops on December 19, conducted by John Morris Russell.
Looking for something a little more cutting edge? Try out "Ancient Paths, Modern Voices: Celebrating Chinese Culture,” from Oct. 21-Nov. 10. Carnegie Hall has teamed up with other cultural institutions to present a lineup of music, exhibitions and theater, ranging from marionettes to art exhibits.
Jazz, children’s programs, and even tap, courtesy of Savion Glover (April 14) are all on the menu as well (who knew?), so check out Carnegie Hall this season--it might surprise you.

Has Global Warming Met Its Match? Climate Week Comes to Town

It’s Climate Week in New York, and no, that doesn’t mean you can change the weather—at least not right off the bat. It does mean that now is the time to have your consciousness raised about global warming (if it hasn't been already), and a whole slew of events are planned to accomplish just that. Climate Week has been timed to coincide with the United Nations General Assembly, which is in the city this week, so if you notice a preponderance of men in suits and guys with earpieces following them, that’s why. (Interesting Numbers Department: 140 heads of state; 31 protest groups.)
Most of these week’s events are by invitation only. Events open to the public include a symposium at Columbia University about economics and climate adaptation on Thursday, Sept. 24; and a five-day bike ride from New York to Washington DC that kicks off on Friday. (For a complete listing of events, check out climateweeknyc.org)
Climate Week comes approximately two months before world leaders are scheduled to meet in Copenhagen to draw up a plan that will halt climate change. In the meantime, you know what to do to go green: Turn off lights; don’t run the water more than necessary; carpool or take public transportation when you can.
Because you don’t need to be a world leader to save the planet; you just need to want to make a difference.

Live From New York, It's Oprah

Dozens of New Yorkers may suddenly “decide” to walk through Central Park Friday morning in the hopes of glimpsing America’s reigning talk-show host, but sadly, chances are slim and tickets are reserved when Oprah Winfrey comes to town tomorrow.
Winfrey is heading to the SummerStage at Rumsey Playfield in Central Park to broadcast; the show will air live on Friday at 10 am Eastern time. (Again, spots in the audience are by reservation only; don’t expect just to show up.)
Winfrey’s guests will include Mariah Carey, the top-selling female recording artist in history, who will most likely perform a song from her new album, “Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel.” She will also give Oprah an exclusive interview (topics are expected to include, no surprise, her career and marriage to Nick Cannon.)
Ever-perky Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa are also expected to pop in after doing their own show that morning.
Other (famous) unannounced guests will undoubtedly show up, and Winfrey will also announce her 63rd book club selection. The enormously influential book club has helped a number of books achieve bestseller status, and has also uncovered some controversial selections, like James Frey’s largely made-up “A Million Little Pieces.” Selections from 2008 included "The Story of Edgar Sawtelle,” by David Wrobleski, and Eckhart Tolle’s “A New Earth.”

Amtrak is on the Move--to the Post Office

All aboard: Amtrak will most likely be chugging into a new home...across the street. New York City’s main post office will house Amtrak’s ticketing, boarding, and waiting areas, which will move from Penn Station to the James A. Farley Post Office directly across the street; a date for the move has not been set. The new station will be named after Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan, who died in 2003. Moynihan was inspired by the impressive former Penn Station, which stood above ground but was demolished in 1963.
Amtrak originally pulled out of the project several years ago, citing the enormous costs associated with the move. Under the new proposal, which was arrived at after six months of negotiations, Amtrak will have the opportunity to share revenue from retail outlets in the new space, and will also have a voice in some design changes. As part of the move, a splashy new entrance will be built for Penn Station, and capacity will be expanded. New tracks will also be built for the railway’s high-speed trains.
The project, estimated at more than $1 billion, still has a way to go—most of the money still needs to be raised. At the moment, more than $200 million in federal funds has been designated for the project, and stimulus funds are a possibility--but that still leaves a lot of money to be found.
Higher train fares, anyone?

Sept. 11 Commemorated with Memorial Events

Americans across the country gather today to remember the events of September 11, 2001. In New York City, the names of all the victims of the terrorist attacks were read aloud this morning, and four moments of silence were observed: two at the times the planes hit the towers of the World Trade Center, and two when the towers fell.
Tonight, two searchlights will be turned on at 6:00 PM for the “Tower of Light,” and remain lit, pointing upward, until 8:00 AM tomorrow morning. Commemorating the two towers, the lights will remain static.
For Americans who want something concrete to do, September 11 was recently designated a day of National Service and Remembrance; everyone is being urged to find ways to get out and help in their communities.
At Trinity Church on Wall Street, an all-night vigil and walk was held; a service will take place this afternoon starting at 12:30 PM.
In addition, a number of other September 11 initiatives are underway. The Port Authority is offering World Trade Center debris to be used in memorials around the country--about 2,000 pieces are available; they are currently being stored at JFK airport.
And a new website (911history.org) is asking for personal stories about the attacks to be featured as part of a series of remembrances at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, slated to open in 2012. Visitors will descend 70 feet under Ground Zero, where they can view images of the attacks and hear stories from families and friends of the victims.
Because many of the images will be very graphic, ranging from people jumping out of the towers to human remains, a warning will be in place for visitors.

Oddly Enough, Labor Day Means More People Around

If New York City seems more crowded this Labor Day than in recent years, you’re not imagining things: Staying home appears to be the new going away for many people.
Approximately 39 million Americans are on the move this holiday weekend; that’s down about 13 percent from last year. The major factor, of course, is money: Because of the recession and uncertain times ahead, more people are deciding to stay put and save the travel costs by enjoying the city. (The spate of lovely weather hasn’t hurt either, making even a local park seem more appealing.)
Labor Day also falls late this year, meaning that more kids will be starting school right after the holiday weekend ends; this offers more of an incentive for parents to stay home and get kids ready without a mad rush.
If you’re itching to find things to do, don’t wander over to Fifth Avenue for the annual Labor Day Parade just yet: it’s not being held until next Saturday, September 12. (Late, yes, but more of a reason to prolong that endless summer vibe.) The parade starts at 10:00 am on 44th Street and Fifth Avenue and ends at 72nd Street and Central Park West. Get there early.
The first Labor Day Parade, by the way, was held in 1882 in New York; Labor Day was made a federal holiday in 1894 after the idea of celebrating the country’s workers spread across the country.
In the meantime, there’s always the West Indian American Day Carnival being held today in Brooklyn, a celebration of New York’s Caribbean population. The parade begins at Rochester Avenue and Eastern Parkway and ends at Grand Army Plaza. Elaborate floats and costumes are the norm, as are reggae and calypso music and food from Trinidad, Barbados and Grenada. (Festivities run from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM.)
For information about the West Indian carnival, call (718) 467-1797.

Tim Burton Career Retrospective Coming To MoMa This Fall

Can’t wait for next year’s Alice in Wonderland, Hollywood cult film director Tim Burton’s cinematic take on the novel by Lewis Carroll? The Museum of Modern Art (MoMa) in New York City will have a major career retrospective on Burton that should satisfy the appetite, on display from November 22, 2009, to April 26, 2010.
Burton is known as the legendary director and creative mastermind behind such classics as Pee-wee’s Big Adventure, Beetlejuice, Batman, Edward Scissorhands, and The Nightmare Before Christmas.
The exhibit of all things Burton will consist of a film series, early childhood and recent drawings, and storyboards created during the production of his famous movies. Over 700 of his distinct drawings, paintings, photographs, moving-image works, costumes, props, and other personal items will be on display. Burton is not only a director, but a producer, writer, concept artist for live-action and animated films, fiction writer, photographer and illustrator, with success spanning his 27-year career. Burton’s work often deals with cynicism, sentiment, the intriguingly grotesque, humor, and the themes of adulthood and adolescence.
This exhibition at MoMa coincides with the publishing of The Art of Tim Burton, a limited edition hard cover book featuring over 1,000 illustrations on 430 pages. Entry to the Tim Burton career retrospective is included with admission to MoMa. Museum tickets are $20 for adults, $16 for seniors, $12 for full-time students with I.D., and free for persons under 16.

Severe Storm Causes Worst Damages In Decades To Central Park Trees

On the night of Tuesday, August 18, a very brief and violent storm pounded on New York City that left Central Park ravaged with tree limbs scattered and whole trees on their side and uprooted. Officials are saying it’s the worst damage the park has seen in decades. An estimated 500 trees were injured, but thankfully no one was hurt.
Some trees destroyed dated from the 1920s or ‘30s, making the destruction an even bigger shame. The upper half of Central Park was hit hardest. Wood chippers have been hard at work since, eating away at the piles of fallen lumber needing to be discarded. The lumber being mulched into piles are being put to good use to moisten the soil throughout the park. Due to the infestation of the Asian longhorn beetles, the fallen trees unfortunately won’t be used for furniture or firewood. What’s even worse, many trees that lost large limbs are at risk of dying from decay, so those may need to be removed as well.
The storm has also had an unfortunate effect on wildlife, leaving many creatures homeless. Many paths with tree limbs now lying across them have been marked off with yellow tape.
Restoration could cost the Central Park Conservancy nearly $500,000, which will have to be paid by donors. Clean up crews still have a lot of work to do from the widespread damage even a week later.

Hurricane Bill Causes New York City Beaches To Temporarily Close

Six New York City beaches were closed to swimming today, August 21, due to Hurricane Bill looming in the Atlantic Ocean. Rip Currents, heavy surf and tall waves will most likely keep the beaches shut down through the weekend. Manhattan and Brooklyn beaches have been closed, including Coney Island. Also closed is Rockaway Beach in Queens and Midland, and South and Wolfe’s Pond beaches in Staten Island. Rockaway Beach is the city’s only official surfing area, which could disappoint many surfers looking to take advantage of the heavy surf. The hurricane could create seas as high as 10 feet at New York City and Long Island beaches.
Concerned about staying cool? There are 63 pools in New York City. All beaches at Fire Island National Seashore on Long Island will be closed by tomorrow and are expected to be closed over the weekend as well. Robert Moses State Park on Long Island was closed today and Jones Beach State Park may be closed soon. Orchard Beach in the Bronx is still open to swimming for as long as conditions will allow.
Hurricane Bill closed in on Bermuda today on track to move up the east coast of the United States and even to northeastern Canada by this weekend. The U.S. National Hurricane Center said in an advisory that winds of 110 miles makes Hurricane Bill a Category 2 storm.

The Metropolitan Opera Sets New Record For First-Day Ticket Sales

The Metropolitan Opera in New York City truly has something to sing about! The Met set a record in ticket sales on Sunday, August 16, the first day of individual box office sales for the upcoming 2009-2010 season. The Met sold $2.5 million worth of tickets at its box office, telephone call center and through the Web site. The first-day sales for the new season was up sharply from the previous record of nearly $2.1 million that was set in 2007.
The record setting amount of tickets sold for the upcoming season is a surprise to the Met’s management considering the bad economy. However, they have been committed to maintaining the Met’s artistic excellence throughout, drawing new audience members and delivering a distraction from the economic climate.
The Met’s 2009-2010 season opens with the gala premiere of a new production of Puccini’s “Tosca” on September 21, conducted by James Levine. The season features eight new productions, four of which are company premieres. Season premieres include Rossini’s “Armida,” Verdi’s “Attila,” Shostakovich’s “The Nose,” and Janáček’s “From the House of the Dead.” New productions include Bizet’s “Carmen,” Offenbach’s “Les Contes d’Hoffmann,” Thomas’s “Hamlet,” and Puccini’s “Tosca.” There are also 18 revivals from the company’s repertory that will be in the season lineup.

Ceiling Collapse In 181st Street Station Causes Disruption In No. 1 Train Service

Officials are scrambling to fix where a huge part of the ceiling collapsed in the 181st Street subway station in Washington Heights where the No. 1 train runs. Upper Manhattan is expected to not have No. 1 train service through this weekend and possibly into next week, with service suspended from 168 Street to Dyckman Street stations. Both tracks and the edges of the platforms were covered with rubble when the incident occurred Sunday at 10:30 p.m. No one was injured.
While the debris is being removed and a protective barrier is built where the ceiling gave way, free shuttle buses are running between 168th Street and Dyckman Street stations. Although this will somewhat ease the problem, it takes the equivalent of 20 shuttle buses to make up one full train of passengers.
The 181st Street subway station is 103 years old and complaints about crumbling tiles and water leaks poured in from local residents, but transit officials did too little too late. Local officials believe water seepage was the main reason for the collapse, a regular complaint at many of the deep No. 1 line stations that are not well kept or well lit. At three stories below, the 181st Street station is one of the deepest and dampest subways in New York City, with the elevators often under repair. A contract for construction is expected to be set in early 2010.

Crazy For Cupcakes? Come To New York City

New York City is truly a cupcake lovers paradise, famous for its cupcake bakeries since a “Sex and the City” episode in which Sarah Jessica Parker eats a pink-frosted cupcake in front of Magnolia Bakery on Bleecker Street. Nine years since the episode aired, tourists still flock to Magnolia Bakery.
New York City is crazy for cupcakes; cupcake bakeries can often be seen with lines out the door. Manhattan’s Institute of Culinary Education leads cupcake tours and offers cupcake-making classes. And cupcake bakeries are being more creative than ever to cater to the masses, offering everything from vegan to gourmet cupcakes. Here are some of the best cupcake shops in New York City worth a visit:

Babycakes NYC (248 Broome Street) serves up dairy-free, soy-free, egg-free vegan cupcakes, sweetened with agave nectar.

Buttercup Bake Shop (973 Second Avenue) cupcakes are have decadent touches like German chocolate cake and almond white cake.

Crumbs Bake Shop is a popular bakery with 10 locations throughout Manhattan that have large, sugary sweet cupcakes in flavors like watermelon, key lime, and cappuccino.

Magnolia Bakery (401 Bleecker Street) is arguably the most famous cupcake bakery due to its exposure on Sex and the City and for their cupcakes baked fresh all day, every day.

Sugar Sweet Sunshine (126 Rivington Street) is a vintage-themed bakery serving small buttercream cupcakes in simple flavors like red velvet and pistachio.

Miracle on 34th Street? Real-Time Bus Info Arrives

A pilot program for a “real-time” bus arrival information system is being tested on 34th Street as part of an effort to upgrade New York City’s bus service. The announcement was made by Mayor Mike Bloomberg; MTA officials; and Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan. The routes carry 17,000 passengers every day.
The program launches at eight New York bus shelters that serve two 34th Street lines; they include eastbound bus stops at Park, Eighth, Ninth and Tenth Avenues, as well as westbound stops at First, Second, Third and Lexington Avenues. The information signs are updated every 30 seconds and announce the waiting time, in minutes, until the next bus arrives. The program uses computer-generated GPS satellite technology installed on the M3 and M16 routes.
The program will be evaluated over a six-month period with the goal of expanding the routes and stops; sadly, no plans seem to be in process for a similar program on the subway system, where it’s sorely needed. (Other cities already have such programs in place.)
NYC Transit is also exploring whether real-time arrival information could be made accessible to the public on cell phones or the internet.
On the upside, the pilot program will not cost the city (or the MTA) anything, since GPS technolgy is provided by Clever Devices (real name, honest); and panel space for the LED signs by Cemusa.

Cruise The Waterfront With New York Water Taxi Hop-On, Hop-Off Summer Service

Looking for a fun new way to tour New York City? How about by boat? The New York Water Taxi offers a hop-on/hop-off weekend boat service around New York Harbor, making stops at 10 of the city’s best neighborhoods and attractions. This service will run from May 2 to October 11, 2009, every Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. A day pass ($20 for adults, $15 for kids) allows for unlimited travel.
The Water Taxi’s first stop is West 44th Street at Pier 84. Check out the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum on Pier 86 at West 46th Street to tour the large aircraft carrier USS Intrepid. The second stop is West 27th Street at Pier 66 in Chelsea. Cool off from the summer heat by ice-skating at Chelsea Piers. Next up is Greenwich Village at Pier 45. Stroll the West Village and Hudson River Park. Traveling further south, the Water Taxi docks at the World Financial Center for a great opportunity to see the World Trade Center Memorial.
The fifth stop is Battery Park, the very Southern tip of Manhattan, with views of the Statue of Liberty. Round the island to South Street Seaport for shopping and a view of the Brooklyn Bridge, followed by Fulton Ferry Landing, the oldest ferry landing in New York City. The Water Taxi then stops at Hunters Point for access to Water Taxi Beach and Long Island City. The tour ends at East 34th Street, with sites like the United Nations Building and the Empire State Building in the vicinity.

Free Popcorn and a Mischievous Monkey: Riverflicks for Kids

August in New York can seem like a slow descent into unbearable temperatures and not enough air conditioning--which is why the city’s Hudson River Park’s “Riverflicks for Kids” comes as such welcome relief.
This is the last Friday (August 21) to catch part of this free film series for families (there's also one for adults that takes place at Pier 54; 14th Street and the Hudson River) that screens new and classic films for kids. This summer’s batch has included “Kung Fu Panda,” “The Wizard of Oz," and “Madagascar 2: Escape 2 Africa.” It finishes off with "Curious George” (not sure why, or if there's any significance to its being last), the 2006 animated film based on the classic H.A. Rey book about the mischievous monkey from Africa and the Man in the Yellow Hat (voiced by Will Ferrell). It’s rated G, and other voices include Eugene Levy, Dick Van Dyke, and Drew Barrymore.
Purists beware: An elaborate back story has been added.
Screenings start around dusk (usually between 8:00 and 8:30 PM these days) and popcorn is free (other snacks and beverage are also available for purchase.)
Movies are shown at Pier 46 (Charles Street/Hudson River); limited seating is available.
Call (212) 627-2121 for more information.
So forsake those hot city streets for a river breeze--and a riverflick.

Tourists Take To The Skies To See City's Sights Despite Tragic Collision

A Liberty Helicopter Sightseeing Tours helicopter and a small plane that took off from Teterboro Airport in New Jersey collided midair above the Hudson River on August 8, killing nine with no survivors. All bodies and wreckage have since been recovered from the river. The passengers taking a tour of New York City on the helicopter were five Italian tourists.
The accident occurred in a busy corridor over the Hudson in which pilots are free to decide their route, as long as they stay under 1,000 feet and don’t get too close to skyscrapers. Despite the tragic accident, tourists have remained unfazed and took to the skies for tours the very next day after the accident. Mayor Michael Bloomberg has even encouraged helicopter tours to continue, and that “there’s no reason why having helicopter tours shouldn’t be safe … I certainly don’t think that we should ban them.” A city councilwoman is pressing to ban tourist helicopter rides over Manhattan.
Taking in a birds-eye view from a helicopter is an increasingly popular tourism attraction in New York City and a thriving business despite the risk and high cost. Liberty Helicopter Tours offers a Lady Liberty tour costing $135 for 6 to 8 minutes, Big Apple tour of Manhattan landmarks for $165, a 16 to 20 minute tour of all five boroughs for $230, and a romantic private ride around Manhattan at night for $1,010.

Theater on the Edge: The New York International Fringe Festival

If you like your theater to be a walk on the wild side instead of a plush third-row seat, or if you’re just feeling daring and in need of something offbeat to do, The New York International Fringe festival starts today (Friday, August 14) and runs through Sunday, August 30.
More than 200 companies from around the world perform at what is billed as the biggest multi-arts festival in North America; it was founded in 1997. Let’s keep those numbers coming: That's 16 days, 20 performance venues (mostly in lower Manhattan), and more than 1300 performances to look forward to, for those of you who were wondering. Shows are chosen through a jury-based selection process.
Performances run from 2pm to midnight on weekdays, and noon to midnight on weekends.
Shows include “Selfplex,” which focuses on a 40-year-old writer who assumes the identity of a transgendered teenager; “6 Seconds in Charlak,” a contemporary romance told from the male point of view; and “666,” about four death-row convicts.
The festival also includes educational events (FringeU); and art-based events (FringeArt).
So it's not "Oklahoma," but isn't that kind of the point?
For more information, call (212) 279-4488; or log on to fringenyc.org

Newly Opened Brooklyn Boulders Rocks Its Way Into New York City

A new alternative to rock climbing at the usual New York City health club and Chelsea Piers has opened: a venue solely dedicated to indoor rock climbing. Brooklyn Boulders, an indoor rock climbing gym that is said to be a first for the borough, opened in the Gowanus neighborhood of Brooklyn on August 5 and is already a hit with locals.
The gym is co-owned by Jeremy Balboni, 26, and Steven Spaeth, 25, who did all of the construction of the walls and padded floors themselves along with employees of Spaeth’s family’s design marketing firm (that also happens to design Macy’s holiday windows.) The 18,000-square-foot former Daily News warehouse at Degraw Street and Third Avenue has thirty-foot ceilings and tasteful graffiti art and cartoons decorating portions of the wall where there aren’t nylon climbing grips. Climbing walls are tilted from just under vertical to totally horizontal for the most advanced. A scalable mock-up of a tower of the Brooklyn Bridge is a focal point in the gym.
Brooklyn Boulders is open to memberships. A day pass is $20/day with your own gear, or $30/day with provided gear and instruction. A yearly membership is $600 and a lifetime membership can be purchased for $5,000. It can be hard for gyms to survive on membership revenue alone, so to help Brooklyn Boulders survive, it’s available for corporate team-building, private special events and birthday parties.
The hours are irregular as the finishing touches are being made. Brooklyn Boulders is currently open 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays with classes taking place at a few different times. Visit www.brooklynboulders.com for more information.

Big-Name Comedians Added To New York Comedy Festival Roster

Headliners of the New York Comedy Festival have officially been announced as Saturday Night Live’s Andy Samberg and 30 Rock’s Tracy Morgan, joining the bill of an already stellar line-up of the country’s best comedians. The diverse group of performers include actor/comedian Dane Cook, British comedian Ricky Gervais, “Howard Stern Show” regular Artie Lange, actor/comedian Mike Epps, and comedian/television show host/author/political commentator Bill Maher. This is the sixth installment of the festival, with an estimated 150 comedians expected to perform. It will take place over the course of November 4 through 8 in New York City.
If a certain presidential election distracted you from the festival last November, then there is no excuse for not attending the festival this year. The comedy acts will be held at various locations throughout the city, at about 10 different venues, like Carnegie Hall, Madison Square Garden, Town Hall, Avery Fisher Hall and the Beacon Theatre. The festival is presented in association with Comedy Central. Panel discussions will also be held at the Paley Center for Media. The line-up of panelists is yet to be announced.
November 4 kicks off with “Stand Up For Heroes,” a special benefit presented by New York Comedy Festival and the Bob Woodruff Foundation at Town Hall. For more information and tickets, visit www.nycomedyfestival.com

Some Cantaloupe With Your Coach Bag? The Farmer's Market at Rockefeller Center

While you’re roaming around New York City’s Rockefeller Center, admiring the maze-like layout, becoming immersed in the hustle and bustle, looking for the perfect gift at one of the many shops, or gazing up at the famous statue of Atlas near the entrance, your mind is probably not on buying fresh-picked apples or perhaps a bushel of nectarines.
Perhaps you didn’t even know that such foodstuffs were available at Rockefeller Center, except perhaps tossed in with some exotic ingredients at one of the many area restaurants.
But wait! New York’s lively and well-known Greenmarket sets up shop at Rockefeller Center every Wednesday-Friday from now through September 4 (it started July 29), selling flowers, baked goods and of course, fresh fruits and vegetables, all sourced locally.
The Farmer’s Market, sponsored by Ocean Spray, is free and open to the public; it’s located at 50th street between 5th and 6th Avenues.
While you’re there, check out the underground concourse replete with stores and restaurants and pedestrian passageways. You can also find your inner nature child at the lush Channel Gardens; separating the British and French Empire buildings, they were named after the English Channel.
Of course, you can also just have a seat and munch on some fresh produce and have everyone stare at you enviously.

Take A Self-Guided Tour Of Illuminated NYC Structures

A new take on the usual New York City architectural tour has come along. There are apparently a surprising amount of visitors and locals who are interested in seeing the city through LEDs, mercury vapor lamps and the prism of gels, as odd as that sounds.
Three months ago, a self-guided tour map of New York City lighting designs was published by the Illuminating Engineering Society of New York in conjunction with the Designers Lighting Forum of New York. The self-guided maps have been so popular that only 1,500 of the original 20,000 are left in the office of the Illuminating Engineering Society. Much of the $25,000 spent on the project was provided by sponsors, and the society is currently considering a second printing.
The large foldout map leads people to different areas of New York City. The tour highlights the ethereal lighting of buildings and structures, along with the lighting designers and firms associated with each. Some examples that can be viewed at nighttime are the Alexander Hamilton Customs House, the Brooklyn Central Library, the TKTS kiosk in Times Square, and of course the illuminated glass Apple Store at Fifth Avenue. Much of the tour’s purpose is to bring attention to the overlooked lighting design industry that places a crucial part in how we view structures. Attention to lighting has also become more relevant as buildings look to become more energy efficient. Copies of the map can be purchased online at www.iesnyc.org/CityLights.aspx

New Funding for Ferry Transportation is in the Offing

Mayor Bloomberg and several other elected officials recently announced that more than $46 million in Transit Capital Assistance Grant funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will be put towards the renovation and maintenance of ferry boats and piers in New York City. Money will also be used to improve accessibility for people with disabilities.
In addition to money from stimulus funding, previous city and federal funding will bring the total amount allocated to the projects to more than $139 million; the projects will help create and keep more than 1600 jobs.
Among other benefits,upgrading the ferry system should help encourage commuters to leave their cars at home in an effort to reduce air pollution.
Projects include maintenance and repair of six Staten Island ferryboats; accessibility upgrades for several public ferry landings, including those at East 90th Street, East 34th Street, and Pier 79 at West 39th Street; and the rehabilitation of Pier 11 (South Street between Wall Street and Pine Street).
Oh yes—never think that the everyday needs of the weary traveler have been overlooked: Among the many structural changes to Pier 11, ferry riders will be glad to hear that canopies to protect passengers from inclement weather are on the agenda as well.

Pop-up Wedding Chapel Opens in Lower East Side, Protests Gay Marriage

Despite a ban on gay marriage in the state of New York, a pop-up wedding chapel has opened on the Lower East Side that can perform marriage ceremonies for both homosexuals and heterosexuals.
No bigger than a garage, the narrow space known as “Grand Opening” is a rotating storefront, with a new concept opening every three or four months. The space, owned by Kevin Fey and Joseph Peter, has been a drive-in movie theater and a ping-pong parlor in the past. It can be found at 139 Norfolk Street, currently with several rows of chairs for guests, flowers on the walls, and dreamy lights strung across the ceiling.
The marriages are performed by Fey, who became a reverend over the Internet through Universal Life Church. Ceremonies can cost between 100 and 500 dollars at Grand Opening. Heterosexual couples can get legally married in just 10 minutes, as simple and as valid as a wedding in city hall or in a Las Vegas chapel.
The ceremonies are without religious references and include the traditional exchange of rings and vows. The homosexual marriage ceremonies performed are not legal due to the state’s gay marriage ban, but are symbolic acts of protest. Couples who are native New Yorkers will still marry legally, or have already married legally, but choose to get fake married so they can have a ceremony at home with family and friends. Gay marriage is currently legal in six states: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Iowa and Vermont.

Candlewood Suites Arrives In NYC As First Midscale Extended-Stay Hotel

The national Candlewood Suites chain made its New York City debut for the first time ever on July 17 with the opening of Candlewood Suites Hotel at Times Square. This hotel has garnered the title of being the city’s first midscale extended-stay hotel, providing guests with the experience of staying in a studio apartment space for a midscale price.
The new Candlewood Suites is located near Times Square at 339 West 39th Street, a perfect destination for business and leisure travelers. With nearly 300 branded hotels in New York City, this is the first unique hotel of its kind to open as a midscale extended-stay hotel, offering a practical alternative.
The 188 guestrooms are all studio suites with large rooms and full kitchens with a full-size refrigerator, stove, dishwasher and microwave, and stocked with all the kitchen appliances one needs to live as if they were enjoying the comforts of home, such as pots, pans, plates and so forth. There is also a large workspace with desk, a recliner and deluxe bedding. Uniquely, though the rooms resemble studio apartments, the hotel still has hotel amenities like a 24-hour fitness center, onsite laundry facilities, and high-speed Internet access. Guests can also visit the Lending Library where free movies and music are available, and the Candlewood Cupboard in the lobby for food and small items.

NYC Cabbies Risk Accidents And Stay On Phones Despite Ban

If you rode in a New York City yellow taxicab recently, chances are the driver was yapping away on their Bluetooth earpiece or even on a handheld cell phone. Cabbies have actually been banned from using cell phones for a decade, even hands-free devices, a rule widely ignored and unenforced. Research shows drivers who use cell phones and hands-free devices while driving are four times as likely to cause an accident. Yet in New York City, the sight of a taxi driver using a cell phone is as common as jaywalking, which is also heavily overlooked.
It is a constant battle for New York City authorities as they struggle to find effective ways to handle the problem other than having passengers report cell phone abuse when they see it. It can be intimidating for passengers to ask cabbies absorbed in their conversation to not talk on the phone while driving.
During the first six months of 2009, authorities issued just 232 summonses for cell phone use in taxicabs. For the first six months of 2008, 411 summonses were issued. Drivers who are caught violating must pay a $200 fine.
Surprisingly, New York City is one of the stricter cities in the country for their no cell phone rule for cabbies. The same restrictions apply in Boston, while hands-free devices are permitted in Los Angeles, and cell phones are used in Denver and Miami.

Small Businesses Get Shot At Low-priced Retail Spaces While Vacancies Rise

Many small New York City retailers and restaurateurs are taking advantage of the altering real estate market as retail space rental prices fall dramatically. Big name brands and chains are reducing their amount of stores and moving out of desirable locations. Landlords and real estate agents are looking to reel in small businesses looking to expand or open up shop for the first time, and they are biting.
Independent businesses and boutiques that have the cash to expand are grabbing the affordable spaces. This is also the opportunity for small businesses to stake their claim in better locations they couldn’t penetrate in the past. Retail rents declined by 11 percent between fall 2008 and spring 2009. Certain neighborhoods in New York City have even seen price declines of as much as 50 percent.
A noticeably large volume of vacant retail spaces that remain unleased are also popping up around town. Retail vacancies in New York City have risen sharply in the past year due to stores closing, unable to survive the economic downturn. Because of this, landlords are becoming more lenient about what businesses take up residency, whereas before it had to be a national tenant. Also, small longtime tenants who have struggled in keeping up with rent are now able to relax with a better chance at renewing their leases.

Take to the Streets for Summer Streets

For the next three Saturdays (August 8, 15, 22), forget your car--just bring along a sturdy pair of sneakers or a two-wheeled vehicle if you’re planning to be near New York City’s Park Avenue. The New York Department of Transportation and its partners are presenting “Summer Streets,” which closes Park and connecting streets to cars from the Brooklyn Bridge to Central Park. What will be there instead? If you have any sense of adventure, you will!
You can walk, stroll, amble, bike, or jog your way though the streets, which will also host a variety of activities, from free fitness forums and bike and skate rentals to music, art and dance performances and events. Want more? Check out the Reading Area (on Park between 52nd and 53rd); or the Kids Zone, which offers games and crafts for the younger set (52nd between Park and Lexington).
(Oh, yes--sitting and relaxing are just fine, too.) The event is part of the city’s initiative to make people more aware of “greener” transportation alternatives, and is modeled on similar events that have been held around the world.
The streets will be closed from 7:00 am to 1:00 pm. For more information (about the event itself; street closures, or alternate routes), dial 311; you can request to be connected to the Summer Streets Hotline.

Broadway's Fall Season Packed With Hollywood Stars Set To Take The Stage

Unlike last October when Katie Holmes had the spotlight all to herself as she made her debut in "All My Sons," this fall season of Broadway shows features a star-studded lineup with some major movie stars set to take the stage. The convergence of so many celebrities on Broadway in the fall season is merely a coincidence and producers say there was no premeditated push to get more celebrities in Broadway shows.
So far the summer season attendance has been down 8.4 percent compared to last summer's season. The large amount of star-power is definitely expected to boost ticket sales, which should of course help New York City’s economy. The roster begins with Daniel Craig and Hugh Jackman in "A Steady Rain" coming in September, followed by Jude Law in "Hamlet" starting shortly after. Sienna Miller will debut in "After Miss Julie," James Spader in "Race," and Julia Stiles and Bill Pullman will star in "Oleanna."
Hollywood stars often seek out stints on Broadway in New York City as a means for bolstering their credibility as an actor, even if there is no need to prove themselves. For instance, Julia Roberts made her Broadway debut in "Three Days of Rain" in 2006. Though her performance was panned by critics, the play still sold exceptionally well. While a famous name may not always ensure a shows success, it does create buzz and attract interest in Broadway, which is much needed now.

Runway Reconstruction Begins At JFK Airport

A major makeover is taking place on one of the longest and busiest commercial airport runways in the U.S.: the Bay Runway (runway 13R-31L) at John F. Kennedy International Airport in Queens. The runway will be reconstructed, receiving a new drainage system, electrical infrastructure, and will be widened by 50 feet to a total 200 feet. Gov. David Paterson kicked off the $376 million project on July 28. It's expected to cut flight delays and reduce congestion, something the airport is notorious for. JFK ranks as one of the top airports in flight delays nationwide.
This project is part of the JFK Delay Reduction Program. More than 143,000 takeoffs and landings took place on this runway in 2008. The expansion will not only reduce delays, it will improve airport operations and support about 2,500 jobs. The improvements will mean replacing old asphalt with an 18-inch concrete overlay. Concrete has a lifespan of nearly five times more than asphalt. It will also save money long term and will reduce the need for more maintenance.
It is expected that the reconstruction will reduce flight delays by an estimated 10,500 hours per year. During the runway makeover, air traffic will be shifted to three other runways at JFK, causing a temporary headache that will supposedly be worth it in the end. The Bay Runway will be closed for about four months next year. The project is expected to be complete November 2011.

The Man Who Would Be Fashion: Richard Avedon at ICP

If you’ve ever flipped through an issue of Harper’s Bazaar from the ‘40 or ‘50s, you’ve most likely seen the work of seminal fashion photographer Richard Avedon, whose photographs are now on view at New York’s International Center of Photography (ICP) in “Avedon Fashion 1944-2000,” part of the museum’s “Year of Fashion” event. (To file under “Did you Know”: The fashion photographer played by Fred Astaire in the movie “Funny Face,” with Audrey Hepburn, was loosely based on Avedon.) Throughout his nearly seven-decade career, Avedon completely changed the role of the fashion photographer by veering away from the static look of most fashion photographs and creating a new brand of lively, dynamic images: he took models out of the studio and into the air, showing them in motion. Formerly thought of as a predominantly European business, Avedon helped influence fashion photography in a way that continues to impact photographers today
ICP now offers the most comprehensive look at his fashion photography to date, including his work from Bazaar, Vogue and The New Yorker. More than 200 works are on view through September 20, including vintage prints, archival materials and contact sheets.
ICP is located at 1133 Avenue of the Americas at 43rd Street. Call (212) 857-0000 for more information.

NYC Restaurants Experience Surge In Sales During Usually Slow Summer Months

Business for New York City restaurants usually hits a low point during the summer months, slowing to a crawl as residents head to the beach or elsewhere on vacation, or bring picnics to the parks. Yet surprisingly, Crain's New York is reporting that restaurant sales have seen a modest surge this summer and the recession’s effect on restaurants has also eased, ushering in strong growth.
Restaurant sales are finally stabilizing and tables are filling up since the recession took hold of the industry last October. For some restaurants, more customers are being fed in June and July compared to the same months last summer.
There are a number of possible reasons why New Yorkers are suddenly emerging to enjoy themselves and eat out: people don't want to deprive themselves any longer, especially in summer, or perhaps they are feeling more confident with job security. Outdoor seating is also a draw in the summertime, and with the rainy weather the Northeast has been experiencing this summer, it’s safe to say that New Yorkers will do anything to get out of their apartments and find ways to beat the gloom.
NYC Restaurant Week is also making a big difference, which started July 12 and will end August 2, acting as a city-wide promotion of the best restaurants New York has to offer. Not only do Restaurant Week’s large discounts draw customers looking for budget-friendly options, but they want to experience the most ambitious eateries creating buzz in New York City.

Big Brother Will Soon Be Watching In New York City Subway Cars

Subway riders will soon have a watchful eye looking over them as they travel. By the end of the year, a single New York City subway train will have CCTV security cameras in every one of its cars as an experimental program by the MTA. It is a groundbreaking security initiative used to determine if similar systems should be installed on every train as a way to deter criminal activity and to aid officials in emergencies. The footage could also assist in determining the facts in incidents, as the MTA has had to shell out millions in damages to injured passengers who have sued.
The train will be outfitted with a digital surveillance system in the corner of every car. The system creates a computer-based log that can be viewed after a crime. The images will not be watched live because of financial constraints, but authorities are hoping that would-be criminals will think twice. Authorities also hope it will act as a weapon against terrorism. MTA officials won’t reveal which subway line will get the camera-equipped train, though it will likely be on one of the newest “letter” trains with the proper computer wiring.
To install surveillance cameras in all subway cars would be an expensive endeavor for New York City. The MTA currently has no money in its capital plan to pay for the installation of cameras in all trains, and it’s unclear if money could be allocated in the next capital program.

Central Park Zoo: Even Cooler Than Before

New York’s Central Park Zoo is pretty nifty already...but it’s about to get a whole lot cooler when "Chill Out!” its premier summer weekend event, runs from August 1-2 (this coming Saturday and Sunday.
The triple “p”s of animal cool—puffins, polar bears and penguins—have the starring role this weekend, since most of the events revolve around them. (And, let's face it, they know a thing or two about cool, not to mention downright cold.)
What’s on the menu? For starters, try tilapia, whipped cream, and vegetable popsicles. Yum. Oh, wait: they're not for visitors, they're for the animals. At 1:00 pm, zookeepers grab their ingredients and duel to create the tastiest treat for the two polar bears. From 1:30-4:00 pm, wander on by the ice-carving station, where the carving masters from Ice Fantasies make giant ice animal sculptures (yes, they can be touched.) Other events include keepers giving out frozen treats (hence the popsicles) to various zoo residents from penguins to snow monkeys (taking place from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm), and two special theater performances.
While you’re there, visit the newest zoo residents--the snow monkeys in the Alison Maher Stern Snow Leopard Exhibit. Three new cats can be found (warning: they’re often hard to spot) in a replica of their home in Asia. Check out the "hidden" snow leopard display while you're there.
The Central Park Zoo is located at Fifth Avenue and 64th Street. For more information, call (212) 794-0284.

New York City Tops List Of Best City In The U.S. For Singles

Looking to find love, but don’t know where to find it? Look no further. The Big Apple has just been ranked number one on Forbes.com’s annual ranking of America’s “Best Cities for Singles,” bumping Atlanta from the top spot. This marks New York City’s first time in the top spot since Forbes.com debuted the list in 2001. Following close behind New York City to round out the top five are Boston, Chicago, Seattle, and Washington D.C. Ranking dead last is Jacksonville, Florida.
Forbes.com generated the “Best Cities for Singles” list by assessing 40 of the largest urban areas in the U.S. based on the cost of living alone, coolness, culture, job growth, online dating, nightlife, and the ratio of singles to the entire population of the city. With more active members living in New York City on Match.com than any other place in the U.S., online dating was a big factor in the city’s rise in the rankings. Singles make up 28 percent of the overall population in New York City.
The tough economy in New York City has led singles to shift their priorities to seeking happiness and comfort in others, taking the focus away from financial stresses. And with an unemployment rate of 8.2 percent, New Yorkers are taking advantage of their severance packages as well as the city’s many restaurants, bars and museums, meanwhile meeting new people or bringing dates along.

Disney Pin Trading: As Close as Midtown New York

Disney pin fan? Love to trade? Trip to Disney World not in the offing this summer? No worries--grab your collection and head to the World of Disney Store on New York’s Fifth Avenue. The first Saturday of the month, from 10:00 am to noon, is the time for pin traders to show up. (Upcoming dates include August 1 and September 5.)
For the uninitiated, pin trading has been around since 1999, at the start of Disney’s Millennium Celebration, and the pins are available at the stores, the resorts and theme parks, and online. Thousands of pins exist, and (believe it or not) guidelines for trading and etiquette are even in place. Pins feature everything Disney, from movies to theme park attractions to characters (we’re big Stitch fans, ourselves), and range in price, style, and availability. Those in the know wear lanyards (long ribbons that hang around your neck and display the pins: warning--they can get very heavy.) And don’t worry that it’s just for the under-12 set—adults are major collectors.
While you’re at the store, pop up to the third floor and tour the Art of Disney Gallery; you’ll find posters, lithographs, giclees (generally, art prints created from an inkjet printer) and more.
Of course, you’ll find plenty of Disney merchandise as well; for further information, call the store at 212 702-0702. They’re located at 711 Fifth Avenue, which is at 55th Street.

Second Avenue Subway Construction Saga Continues With New Due Date

Previously expected to be complete in 2012 and then in 2015, the long-anticipated subway running along Second Avenue on the East side of Manhattan has been delayed yet again, according to a yearlong review by the MTA of the ongoing construction. The Second Avenue subway line is now expected to open in July 2016, and possibly even in July 2017 if there are more delays.
The first phase of construction is currently taking place from 96th Street to 63rd Street, a 1.7-mile route, with new stations at 96th, 86th and 72nd Streets. The plan is for the subway line to eventually stretch 8.5 miles from 125th Street in Harlem to Hanover Square in the Financial District. The cost of the new subway line is expected to increase to about $4.4 billion.
Currently the 4/5/6 line is the only subway line like it running the length of the East side of Manhattan in New York City. The Second Avenue subway would benefit the community and the entire city once completed, and will reduce overcrowding on the Lexington Avenue line.
The MTA is encouraging residents to shop Second Avenue businesses despite the temporary inconvenience of construction, which has in fact been hurting businesses, mainly in the East 90s. There are also concerns in the Upper East Side real estate market that the construction could deter potential buyers from purchasing properties east of Third Avenue, though once complete, the far East side will no doubt rise in value.

Trans Fat Ban in New York City Restaurants Proving Successful

After two years of waging war on artificial trans fats in New York City restaurants, nearly all city restaurants have successfully cut the artery-clogging unsaturated fats from their menus (or at least to low levels of less than 0.55 grams of trans fat per serving), health officials are reporting. New York City’s Department of Health announced in December 2006 all licensed dining establishments—not only restaurants, but school cafeterias and street vending carts as well—were required to phase out heart-unhealthy trans fats from their foods. Prior to the ban, the Department of Health found that about 50 percent of restaurants it inspected used artificial trans fats for cooking, frying, and baking in their shortenings, oils, and spreads.
The department originally tried a voluntary program and an educational campaign by mailing information to train restaurant workers about the issue to about 30,000 food establishments. This educational campaign had little to no effect after a year. The department decided to instead launch a full-on mandatory ban of trans fat, which has worked well, despite some resistance from the restaurant industry, thinking it would affect business.
By November 2009, less than two percent of restaurants still used trans fats, and that number has since decreased. Since the trans fat ban proved successful in New York, it has caught on and been adopted by at least 13 other jurisdictions, such as Boston.

Tribute to John Lennon's New York City Years Features Rare Artifacts, Bloody Clothing From Death

A new exhibit created by Yoko Ono on John Lennon’s life in New York City is currently on display at the Rock & Rock Hall of Fame Annex in Soho. The exhibit is named “John Lennon: The New York City Years” and features rare and never-before-seen artifacts, films and photos capturing a time when Lennon was politically and socially active and he put out some of his best work.
New York City was Lennon’s adopted home from when he left England and moved stateside in 1971 until his death in 1980. Some highlights on display include the original handwritten lyrics of 10 songs like “Luck of the Irish,” “Nobody Told Me,” and “Whatever Gets You Thru the Night,” as well as the New York City T-shirt Lennon wears with the skyline behind him in a famous photograph by photographer Bob Gruen. Another item is Lennon’s green card that expired in 1972, leading the Nixon administration to seek his deportation, but he remained in the U.S. thanks to the support of many like John Lindsay, who was the mayor of New York City Mayor from 1966 to 1973. Most controversially featured are the bloody clothes Lennon wore on the evening he was murdered.
A portion of the ticket cost is donated to Spirit Foundations, a charitable foundation created by John Lennon and Yoko Ono. Extended exhibit hours are Sunday through Thursday from 11:00am to 10:00pm, and Friday and Saturday from 11:00am to midnight with last admission one hour prior to closing. For tickets call 866-9-ROCKNY or 866-976-2569, go to www.rockannex.com, or visit the box office located at 76 Mercer Street.

Naked Cowboy Throws His 10-gallon Hat In The Ring For Mayoral Run

As New York City’s richest resident Mayor Michael Bloomberg attempts to run for his third term, Times Square’s famous busker and tourist fixture Naked Cowboy has offered himself as a write-in candidate against Bloomberg for the office of New York City mayor. Known for singing and strumming his guitar in nothing but a cowboy hat, cowboy boots and tighty-whities in rain, snow or shine, Naked Cowboy, a.k.a. Robert Burck, 38, officially announced his candidacy for mayor of New York City on July 22.
Burck held a press conference in Times Square where a large crowd of media gathered. He kept things brief with plenty of wordplay, promising to “do more with less” for New York City residents. Burck’s platform includes cutting wasteful spending, building the city’s economy and tourism, supporting small businesses, and greening city buildings. If elected November 3, Burck said he would remain accessible and carry on this usual routine in Times Square.
Though he may seem not seem like a serious choice, Burck cited Arnold Schwarzenegger as having not been elected governor of California for his vast political background, but rather because he “exuded the spirit of the community of which he represents.”
Burck has a political science degree from the University of Cincinnati, several self-published motivational books, a country music album, and is an ordained minister, eager to build a Times Square chapel marrying straight and gay couples in an effort to rival Las Vegas’ wedding business.

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Route - Route Change for 2009

After much speculation, it was announced in April 2009 by Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Department of Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan that the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will have a new route for 2009. The new, wider route will give the parade the extra space it has needed for more parade goers and will allow for more economic activity.
The parade had previously started at 77th Street and Central Park West to continue South on Broadway when it reached Columbus Circle, through Times Square and ending in Herald Square. The new route will now have four 90 degree turns, with the parade starting at 77th Street and Central Park West, turning East onto 59th Street, then South at 7th Avenue, then East on 42nd Street for a block before turning South onto 6th Avenue, and finishing in Herald Square at 34th Street. This is the sixth route change in the history of the parade since its debut in 1924.
The parade route change has sent hotels on 6th and 7th Avenues scrambling to create pricey room packages and viewing parties in their event spaces for people who want to watch the parade indoors. This change is of course a disappointment for Broadway hotels whose business will now be hurt because the parade won’t be passing outside its doors anymore.
Full Story: http://www.nytix.com/Hotels/articles/thanksgiving.html

New York Chocolate - An NYC Religion

Sometimes you want more than just your run-of-the-mill candy bar in NYC. You want to go someplace where chocolate isn’t just a snack, but a way of life. Enter the chocolate nirvana's.

Start with Max Brenner, where chocolate isn’t just a way of life, but a near religion. With stores around the world, the chain takes its chocolate seriously. You can start with breakfast (and if you can’t wait, go for the Melting Cinnamon Chocolate Chunks Oatmeal) proceed to the Petite Lunch (where sides include waffle fries dusted with chili and, of course, cocoa powder) and then head for the big time. Maybe Max’s Three Layer Chocolate Confection with Toffee Bananas? You can always attempt the Peanut Butter Crunchy Dessert Bonbon, or any one of the fondue, ice cream or crepe creations.
Max Brenner has two New York locations: 841 Broadway (between 13th and 14th Streets) and 141 Second Avenue (at 9th Street.) call 212 388-0030.

Next stop: Jacques Torres. The dessert czar (he was the pastry chef at Le Cirque) has several locations in Brooklyn and Manhattan, including one on the upper west side (285 Amsterdam, between 73rd and 74th Streets; 212 787-3256; as well 350 Hudson Street (212 414-2462. (The location in Brooklyn features an ice cream store and factory that is visible from street level.) . While you can buy standard chocolates (if your definition of standard includes Champagne Kiss bonbons) the real draw is the amazing hot chocolate in a variety of flavors.

Finally, head to the delightful Marie Belle. With such events as private chocolate-tasting classes and a Cacao Bar and Tea Salon, this shop offers an elegant take on the chocolate experience. Try the Aztec Hot Chocolate.www.mariebelle.com; MarieBelle on Madison (762 Madison Ave, between 64th and 65th Streets) (212 249-4585); or MarieBelle SoHo (212 884-9707) 484 Broome Street.

J.C. Penney Set To Open First-Ever Manhattan Store

American department store chain J.C. Penney is opening its first-ever store in New York City on July 31 at 33rd Street and 6th Avenue in the Manhattan Mall. The mall is located one block from Macy’s flagship store in Herald Square and a block from Penn Station.
While the store will have an official grand opening on July 31, a soft opening is taking place tomorrow, July 23, and the new locale will be open to shoppers from 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. With more than 1,100 stores across the country, this 153,000-square-foot J.C. Penney store will staff 500 associates. It will be the first J.C. Penney store in Manhattan despite maintaining a corporate office on the island from 1914 to 1988.
There are currently J.C. Penney stores in Queens, Staten Island and the Bronx that are top revenue generators for the department store, so Manhattan store sales are expected to do quite well. The two-level store will finally breathe some life into Manhattan Mall as it has been a ghost town while undergoing renovation for the past year or so.
J.C. Penney is famous for boasting affordable clothing and has recently stepped up to shedding its dowdy reputation by offering designer collections like “I Heart Ronson” by Charlotte Ronson and a Cindy Crawford Home line coming out in September. A Sephora cosmetics store will also open within the new J.C. Penney.

PATH And Bridge Toll Revenues Hurting In Summer Tourism Decline

While New York City’s economy is no doubt feeling the heat of the recession, a new report has emerged that PATH rail system ridership and traffic through the tolls on the six area bridges into the city have also taken a hit. PATH ridership declined 3.5 percent during the first six months of 2009 compared to the first six months of 2008. Traffic through the Port Authority’s six bridges and tunnels fell 3.1 percent. The Lincoln Tunnel has had the steepest decline, of 5 percent. This information was announced July 14 by the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey.
Consistent revenue coming in from leases and fees along with cutting costs have helped the Port Authority stay afloat financially, but this goes to show that not even New York City’s transportation systems and toll bridges are recession-proof.
Not only has New York City tourism been on the decline this summer with fewer visitors, but fewer commuters are coming in for work, with the loss of 107,800 jobs in New York City since August 2008. Layoffs throughout industries across the board have clearly caused a domino effect on the tourism industry. The unemployment rate is currently at 9 percent in New York, and the recent 65 percent rise in gas prices may be another reason why people are off the road this summer.

Celebrities Play Tour Guide For New Big Apple Greeter Program

As part of the Big Apple Greeter organization’s new “Celebrity Greeter for a Day” program, visitors will have the opportunity to go on free tours led by celebrities who will offer them a personal taste of New York City, rather than taking them to the usual famous tourist spots. The “Celebrity Greeter for a Day” program was launched July 15 with the help of former New York Giants running back Tiki Barber and “The Sopranos” actor Dominic Chianese (in photo) at City Hall in Manhattan. Also on hand were Big Apple Greeter representatives and New York City tourism and elected officials.
The program intends to match tourists from around the world with well-known New Yorkers serving as volunteers, offering their unique perspective on a walking tour of favorite haunts. More than 300 New York City residents serve as greeters throughout the year. Now celebrity greeters will be added to the mix and matched up with visitors the same way other volunteers are paired. Greeters are matched with visitors based on language, neighborhoods they want to see, and other interests. However, visitors won’t know in advance if they’ve been paired with a celebrity, so it will be at random.
The Big Apple Greeter program also brings economic opportunity to New York City’s tourism industry. Founded in 1992 by Lynn Brooks, this non-profit organization’s mission is to enhance New York City’s image to foreigners, and to show them New York doesn’t have to be expensive and overwhelming.

Coffee And Doughnut Chain Tim Hortons Makes New York City Debut

Canada’s leading coffee and doughnut chain Tim Hortons opened 12 new stores in New York City on Monday, July 13, entering the competition against Starbucks and Dunkin' Donuts for the first time in the Big Apple. The Tim Hortons shops will mostly open in former Dunkin' Donuts locations that were shut down Friday, July 10, before undergoing a fast renovation over the weekend for its Monday debut. The chain opened its doors in key tourist destinations like Broadway, Times Square, Penn Station, and Madison Square Garden. Two locations are open in Brooklyn.
Three additional locations are expected to open in August as well. These three will open in existing Cold Stone Creamery stores as part of an ongoing test initiative to co-brand with up to 100 stores in the U.S. Debuting in New York City is a significant milestone in the Tim Hortons brand expansion.
The locations are operated by franchisee The Riese Organization, which operates 113 restaurants in New York City. The Riese Organization agreed to end its franchise relationship with Dunkin’ Donuts by July 31 and is therefore converting their Dunkin’ Donuts locations to Tim Hortons. The termination of the relationship is a result of a health violation dispute, and each are claiming they ended the relationship.
The Ontario, Canada-based company with a U.S. headquarters in Dublin, Ohio sells coffee, fresh baked goods, sandwiches and soups. There are about 3,500 locations in North America, 500 of which are in the U.S. with more to come.

If It’s Summer, It Must be the HBO Bryant Park Summer Film Festival 2009

Summer is for movies. But it’s also for being outside. Big dilemma!
No, wait…go to New York City’s HBO Bryant Park Summer Film festival, and you can do both!
Now in its 17th year, the free (no tickets needed) Time Warner Cable-sponsored festival shows movies every Monday night approximately at sunset (usually between 8:00 and 9:00 pm) from mid-June through August 17.
The festival kicked off with “The Sting” and will end with “Close Encounters of the Third Kind.” In between, viewers are treated to such classics as the cult favorite “Harold and Maude” (with Bud Cort and Ruth Gordon; July 20); “The Defiant Ones” (Sidney Poitier and Tony Curtis; July 27); and “Kramer vs. Kramer” (Dustin Hoffman; Meryl Streep; August 3). For a complete schedule, call 212 512-5700, or go to http://blog.when/hbofilmfest. AOL keyword: Bryant Park Film festival.
The movies are shown on a huge (22” x 43.5”) screen in the park, located between 40th and 42nd Streets and Fifth and Sixth Avenues. The lawn opens to viewers at 5:00 pm; you can bring a blanket and picnic on the lawn, or try to grab one of the 4,000 park chairs on the sidelines.
Tom Colicchio’s ‘wichcraft sandwich spots have kiosks set up where you can purchase sandwiches and ice cream, or you can bring your own food.
Either way, it’s the perfect melding of indoor-outdoor fun.

Wendy Williams Goes from New York City Shock Jock to TV's Anti-Oprah

Taking the leap from radio to TV, popular longtime New York City DJ and urban radio shock jock Wendy Williams debuted her new nationally syndicated daytime talk show The Wendy Williams Show on July 13. It airs on FOX 5, My 13 and FOX 11 channels all across the country. BET Networks have also picked up the cable rights to the show and added it to their lineup, airing weeknights at 11 p.m. starting July 13 as well.
The Wendy Williams Show test ran for six weeks last summer in New York, Dallas, Detroit, and Los Angeles before syndication company Debmar-Mercury signed a deal with FOX Broadcasting Company to broadcast the show beginning in July 2009. The preview shows included a fan-fave interview with Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth (of Celebrity Apprentice fame) to promote her book "The Bitch Switch". In the interview Omarosa demonstrated that she couldn't actually switch "The Bitch" off and all hell broke loose on the set, making the show an instant classic.
Like her radio show the Wendy Williams Experience, Williams will continue to cover a mix of hot topics like celebrity gossip, fashion, entertainment, advice, and interviews with a wide range of guests on her one-hour TV show. Williams has branded herself as the anti-Oprah and hopes to appeal to a more mainstream audience, just at a time when Oprah is experiencing her lowest ratings since 1992. The show will be seen on 95 percent of U.S. households with televisions.

Duck, Duck…Tourist? An Amphibious Tour Recreates Henry Hudson's Voyage

You may have been on a New York City bus tour or even a boat tour…but a duck tour? Well, now’s your chance. Starting in Times Square and making its way through Manhattan and then into the waters of the Hudson River (yes, you read that correctly; the “Duck” is an amphibious vehicle that transitions easily from land to water) the vehicle was inspired by the voyages of Henry Hudson’s ship The Half-Moon. Hudson, for those who need a refresher, was the 16th century explorer who is known for discovering both New York and the Hudson River.The road and river tour, that was up-until recently known as the New York Splash Tour, includes travels to view some of New York's most famous sights (tour guides are on hand to point them out); and a stop in the NYC Ducks Theater, where you’ll experience a multimedia motion-simulator ride that mimics Hudson’s journey across the Atlantic (complete with rushing wind). While “Duck” tours are available at other locations around the world, this is the only one that offers the multimedia experience. The tour culminates with a splash into the Hudson River for a fabulous view of Manhattan. The Duck returns to Times Square after the tour.
The tour lasts between 60 and 75 minutes; and tickets can be purchased online (http://www.coachusa.com/nycducks/) or by calling 1-888-838-2570. Tour check-in is on 8th Avenue near Restaurant Row; the exact location will be given when you make your reservation. Departures are offered daily April-November.

A Guide to New York City's Best Mobile Eats

There is more to New York City food carts than hot dogs and soft pretzels. In the latest issue of Time Out New York, the magazine lists the best food trucks and carts New York City has to offer. Here is a brief roundup:

The Big Gay Ice Cream Truck
Doug Quint serves soft serve ice cream in cones with an interesting variety of toppings such as bacon, crushed pretzels, and Nilla Wafers. Various locations around NYC.

Calexico
Brothers Dave, Jesse and Brian Vendley sell gourmet Cal-Mex cuisine and have garnered a following for their flavorful meat and generous portions. Calexico carts are found at the corner of Prince and Wooster Streets as well as Broadway and Broome Street.

Cupcake Stop
Lev Ekster sells mini and regular-size cupcakes with flavors like Oreo crumb and chocolate peanut butter swirl. Catch Cupcake Stop daily at Fifth Avenue between 13th and 14th Streets and nightly at 23rd Street between Seventh and Eighth Avenues.

NY Dosa
Thiru Kumar offers vegan dosas, a delicate lentil-and-rice-flour crepe filled with vegetables and potatoes, with coconut chutney and spicy vegetable soup, undoubtedly one of New York’s healthiest carts. Look for Kumar on West 4th Street at Sullivan.

Kwik Meal
Mohammed Rahman opened his first cart in 2000 and three more since, becoming a popular Midtown fixture at West 45th Street at Sixth Avenue with his succulent lamb over rice and vegetable-filled pitas.

Kim’s Aunt Kitchen
This cart draws crowds for its fried whiting and flounder sandwiches served on Wonder, whole wheat or pita breads. Also try the beef bulgogi, a step above the usual street meat, at West 46th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues.

Street Sweets
Inspired by a visit to Italy, Samira Mahboubian opened a food truck serving croissants with assorted fillings like Nutella and marshmallow crème. Check http://twitter.com/streetsweets for Midtown location updates.

Two Popular New York Sightseeing Double-decker Bus Companies Merge

In an effort to cut costs, two of New York City’s best-known rival double-decker tour bus companies are merging to combine operations in a joint venture. CitySights NY and Gray Line New York Sightseeing will continue to operate under the same names, but the new company will be called Twin America, with a fleet of 100 vehicles and gross assets of $28 million combined.
Supposedly no layoffs are happening as a result. The merge comes at a time with New York City’s tourism boom is taking a hit from the economic crisis and the number of tourists expected to visit New York are much lower this year.
Another double-decker bus and fairly young competitor on the scene is the Big Taxi Tour, a hop on, hop off family-run bus tour company bringing passengers to attractions in New York City. Their yellow buses with black and white-checkered stripes have been seen more and more throughout Manhattan. Big Taxi Tour is less expensive than CitySights and Gray Line with $25 rides through Midtown and Downtown, versus $44 for CitySights or Gray Line. Whether this bargain bus and the economy will harm Twin America is yet to be seen.

New York City Beaches Make A Big Splash This Summer

Don’t bother heading east to the Hamptons or Jones Beach this summer to relax on the beach. Instead, check out some of New York City’s little known urban beaches, that is, if you mind not swimming. Water Taxi Beach in Long Island City has 1,002 tons of imported New Jersey sand spread over 44,000 square feet and a wonderful view of Midtown Manhattan’s skyline across the East River. There’s beach volleyball, a snack shack and bar, and sprinklers that mist the beach. Deejayed beach parties for people 21+ take place Friday and Saturday nights starting at 8 p.m.
Former military base Governors Island is undergoing a transformation with a 40-acre park in the works and a new beach that officially opened on July 11. The beach features 300 tons of sand spread over 20,000 square feet, a café and outdoor grill, beach volleyball, basketball, and a view of Lower Manhattan. Live outdoor entertainment is also scheduled, with acts like Erykah Badu and The B-52s coming in August.
South Street Seaport also has a new 18,000-square-foot beach that opened on Memorial Day, located on the north side of Pier 17 with views of the Brooklyn Bridge and East River. Games like skeeball, ping-pong, and 9 holes of miniature golf are onsite, as well as Fish Shack for burgers and fish tacos, and Pop Bar for popcorn and soda. Like the beach in Long Island City, this beach has deejayed parties on weekend nights for the 21+ crowd.

Catch Free Performances At Central Park SummerStage And Celebrate Brooklyn!

Whether you live in Manhattan or Brooklyn, there are two free public concert programs not to miss this summer in these New York City boroughs. Central Park SummerStage, a program of the City Parks Foundation founded in 1986, presents a variety of free performing acts to the public. The performances and events are open to all ages and showcase music, dance, spoken word, and film. These are held in the various outdoor venues in Manhattan’s Central Park in New York City. The series began June 5 and will conclude August 16, so there is still time to catch a show. Some well-known names still to come this summer that are sure to draw large crowds are Jazmine Sullivan, Q-Tip, Chester French, Ginuwine, Bettye LaVette, Bela Fleck, The Pretenders, and Juliette Lewis.
Celebrate Brooklyn! is an outdoor performing arts festival offering free music, dance, theater, and film events in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park Bandshell. The program began June 8 this summer with a performance by Talking Heads frontman David Byrne, and will end August 15 with Animal Collective. Several other artists yet to perform this summer are Big Daddy Kane, Bonnie Raitt and Taj Mahal. The concert series is free but a $3 donation is suggested upon arrival. Celebrate Brooklyn! was launched in 1979.

Construction On New Meadowlands Stadium Ahead Of Schedule

Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, the soon-to-be home field of the New York Giants and Jets football teams, is under construction and months ahead of schedule. The stadium will still open during the projected time frame of December 2009 to April 2010.
Meadowlands Stadium is replacing Giants Stadium, with the construction taking place nearby in the parking lot. Giants Stadium will be demolished when Meadowlands is completed to free up more parking lot space.
The new open-air stadium will have 82,500 seats, including 200 luxury suites, four large video boards in each of the four corners, and a fenced in security perimeter. It will be the second-largest stadium in the NFL behind FedExField, home to the Washington Redskins outside of Washington D.C., with a capacity of 91,704.
Environmentally friendly initiatives are being taken to create one of the greenest sports venues there is. Meadowlands Stadium will be partially built with 40,000 tons of recycled steel and stadium seats will be constructed from scrap iron and recycled plastic. Water use and construction waste are being cut, and concessions will use biodegradable utensils, plates and cups. Construction costs are currently estimated at $1.6 billion.
The opening of Meadowlands Stadium follows the open of Citi Field in March 2009 and of the new Yankee Stadium in April 2009, both in New York City.

NYC Restaurant Week Kicks Off This Weekend

This Sunday, July 12, marks the beginning of NYC Restaurant Week and will last for three weeks until July 31. Participating in the celebration of New York City dining this summer will be 250 restaurants featuring a wide range of cuisines.
The restaurants will offer three-course prix-fixe menus for lunch and dinner, allowing the opportunity to dine at some of the best restaurants in town and at hot newcomers for a fraction of the (usually expensive) cost. Prices are per person, with lunches priced at $24.07 and dinner at $35, not including drinks, gratuity or tax. Both lunch and dinner aren’t offered at all participating restaurants, but most do.
As some of the best restaurants can sell out quickly, it is recommended that reservations be booked ahead of time by simply calling the restaurant or reserving a table through OpenTable.com.
NYC Restaurant Week takes place twice a year for several weeks at a time, in January and every June or July. This summer is the first time that many of the restaurants will offer the program on Sundays, as it has traditionally been offered on weekdays only. Saturdays are still excluded.
NYC Restaurant Week first started in 1992 as a one-time culinary program to welcome the Democratic National Convention to New York City, and was such a hit that it developed from there, as residents wanted to take part in the event as well and eat at New York’s best restaurants.

New York City Sees Hotel Boom Despite Room Occupancy Decline

Nearly 40 new hotels will open in New York City in 2009, including the Standard, the Ace, and the Cooper Square hotels, adding hundreds more to New York City’s existing 85,000 guest rooms. In a seemingly odd time to be expanding, New York is seeing a hotel room boom with more lodging than ever before.
New hotels projected to open in 2009 had been in the works as hotel occupancy rates steadily climbed in the last five years, often causing room shortages, with 39.9 million visitors in 2004 to a record 47.1 million in 2008. However, the suffering economy ended the climb with a dismal last quarter in 2008. Not only has there been a drop in room occupancy, but room rates as well.
According to PKF Consulting, 2008 had an average daily room rate of $268.59, while 2009 had a rate of $220.42. The average occupancy was 81.0 percent in the first quarter of 2008, while the first quarter of 2009 saw 67.3 percent, a number dipping into dangerous territory.
Travelers aren’t reserving rooms as far in advance anymore, and business expense accounts are being tightened to not include as much business travel. Hotels will have to offer good prices and incentive packages to gain guests.
The aforementioned chic and innovative new properties offer a glimmer of hope. The Standard has floor-to-ceiling glass windows providing amazing Hudson River views from its location on Washington Street, while the Cooper Square captures modern luxury with its sharp interior, and the Ace rocks a Indie/hipster flair.

Things to Do in New York City on the Fourth of July

This weekend, take part in the Independence Day festivities in New York City. Not to miss are the Macy’s Fourth of July fireworks launched off of six barges in the Hudson River, starting at approximately 9:20 p.m. The fireworks can be seen from along the West Side Highway, on Piers 84 and 54, De Witt Clinton Park at 11th Avenue and 52nd Street, or on a water taxi cruise. Also consider watching them explode while partying at a rooftop bar like Highbar (251 West 48th Street) or Hudson Sky Terrace (356 West 58th Street).
Another must-see is Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest on Coney Island in Brooklyn at the original Nathan’s restaurant near the boardwalk at 1310 Surf Avenue. A group of 20 contestants line up behind a 30-foot table to begin eating as many hot dogs as possible at 12:00 p.m. to begin the 12-minute contest. This famous hot dog eating contest has been held each year on July 4 since 1916.
The River To River Festival, a free arts festival of performances and events, takes place ever summer from June to August. On July 4 the festival will host a concert in Battery Park with singer/songwriter Conor Oberst (a.k.a. Bright Eyes) as the main act as well as indie-rocker Jenny Lewis.

Michael Jackson Remembered in New York City

Thousands of fans came in droves yesterday, June 30, to the Apollo Theater in Harlem to pay their respects to Michael Jackson at a public memorial service. Fans began lining up as early as 5 a.m. and the doors opened at 2 p.m., with the line snaking around two blocks. An estimated 600 people endured the rain and long wait to crowd into the historic music hall. The Rev. Al Sharpton led the memorial service which lasted six hours. A special video tribute was played as well as Jackson’s hit songs.
Many other Jackson tribute parties have broken out throughout New York City. On June 27, about 100 people gathered in Times Square along with a crowd of onlookers. The group wore headphones and pressed play on their music players at about the same time to have a dance party to the song “Thriller.” Word was spread through Twitter of the get together.
A few hundred people spontaneously gathered in Union Square on the night of Jackson’s death, June 25, for a sing along and dance vigil to celebrate his life and music. The crowd belted out his hits in unison and circled around those brave enough to impersonate his signature dance moves.
Madame Tussauds has placed Jackson's wax figure in the window display of the wax museum in Times Square. Retail stores, bars, dance clubs, and other establishments throughout New York City have also kept Jackson’s music on repeat.

After Eight Years, Statue of Liberty Crown to Reopen July 4th

The crown on the Statue of Liberty will reopen to the public for the first time since the terrorism attacks on September 11, 2001, when it was closed due to terrorism and safety concerns. Starting July 4, 2009, the crown of this iconic symbol of America will be accessible to 30 people at a time, with 10 people allowed to climb the stairs at a time.
The limited number is for security and safety reasons. This limit of 30 will continue for two years before closing again for renovations to make access safer and easier. The 12-story spiral staircase to the crown is already very narrow with low guardrails, which has raised concerns for fire safety as it is the crown’s single entrance and exit, violating all kinds of fire codes.
However, it is being reopened on July 4th, as a boost to New York City tourism and a gift to the city from Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar and the Parks Department. This is a victory for New York Representative Anthony Weiner, a Queens Democrat and prominent supporter. President Barack Obama also backed the idea, as the closure was originally enforced by the Bush administration. The formal announcement was made by Salazar on May 8, 2009 on NBC’s Today Show.

Former High Line Railway Gets Second Life As Public Park

The new High Line Park, an urban park in the sky, opened on June 9 to the public in New York City. It is constructed on top of the skeleton of a former rail system on building rooftops 30 feet above the ground. High Line Park is located on Manhattan’s West Side, running from Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District to West 20th Street in Chelsea, between Tenth and Eleventh Avenues.
The rooftop park was renovated and designed by James Corner Field Operations along with architects Diller Scofidio + Renfro. It has wooden lawns chairs, an LED lighting system, and landscape of green plants and grass among concrete. The park is accessible from Gansevoort Street, 14th Street, 16th Street, 18th Street, and 20th Street, and is open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The original High Line, a 1.45-mile long steel railway, was built in the 1930s in an effort to remove freight trains from street traffic after too many accidents occurred between the two. No trains have run on the High Line since 1980. Nature took over after trains stopped running and became overgrown and untouched.
Friends of the High Line was founded in 1999, a non-profit community-led group advocating for the High Line’s preservation and reuse as a public park. The group gained city support in 2002 with a City Council resolution supporting the High Line’s reuse. Groundbreaking and construction started in April 2006.
A second section from 20th Street to 30th Street is projected to be ready in 2010, and a third and final section will come after that.

Pedestrian Mall Opens in Times Square and Herald Square

Seven blocks along Broadway in Times Square and Herald Square in New York City have been closed to vehicular traffic to relieve traffic jams, reduce pollution, and allow pedestrians the pleasure of enjoying the city’s center without worrying about being hit by a taxi. West 47th Street to 42nd Street in Times Square and West 35th Street to 33rd Street in Herald Square are the blocks along Broadway where this has taken place.
The new pedestrian promenade took effect on May 24, 2009 as part of Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s plan to reduce Midtown congestion. The remainder of the year will serve as a trial, and the experiment could become permanent if all goes smooth and the city benefits.
The opening of the car-free pedestrian area has eased the Times Square chaos and created breathing room in the usually unbearably crowded Times Square. People who work in the area have a new place to spend their lunch break and New Yorkers who normally avoid Times Square are venturing in to join tourists.
The city has so far provided lawn chairs for lounging and tables and chairs, but not much else, as it is an ongoing development. Musicians and performers have also been hired by the city to attract afternoon crowds, and the Naked Cowboy is out in full force.
While the pedestrian mall undoubtedly improves the congestion of crowded streets and sidewalks, the big question yet to be answered is whether this will help or hurt Times Square and Herald Square businesses.