Meet the Mets

As if the opening of the new Mets Stadium isn’t enough to get us pumped up for next year’s season, Citi Field Stadium has announced a 60,000 square-foot event space which can be available for exclusive events for those in the know. Even home plate is not off limits, but only if you have a special NYC connection (and lucky for you – we do!). So come and Meet the Mets up close, word on the street is Shackman Associates has the hook up!

Beams of Hope

Today officially marks the placement of the first beam for the 9/11 Memorial and Museum. While not slated to be completed until 9/11/2011, the beam is giving New Yorker’s hopes of rebuilding the past. At 7,700 pounds, moving the beams to their current location has been no easy task. Before the beams make their way to the Big Apple, they are sent around the country where tens of thousands of people can sign it and leave messages of hope. The first set of signed beams will be displayed at the upcoming Jets verses Giants home opener at Giants stadium later this week.

Byrne Baby Byrne

Musician turned Artist turned Biking Enthusiast David Byrne has done it again. Normally, we don't like to lavish one single person with too much praise, but this guy won't stop catching our attention (not that we're complaining). Byrne, best known as the front man for the popular band Talking Heads, and most recently with his "Playing the Building" installation (see below), has taken it to the streets. Today, the New York City Department of Transportation has installed nine new bikes racks, created by Byrne, throughout the city’s streets. Aimed to increase bicycle use and beautify the streets, the racks are inspired from New York neighborhoods and activities. The dollar-sign named “Wall Street” is located in the heart of Wall Street. The guitar “Hipster” design is in the vibrant musical neighborhood of Williamsburg, and “Jersey”, a design of a car’s silhouette near the entrance to the Lincoln Tunnel, are just a few of the neighborhood friendly installations around the city.

What Happened to the Friendly Skies?

As airline carriers are seeking out ways to counter the rising fuel costs, the friendly skies have hit our wallets harder than ever. Airlines are letting their FEE-dom ring, with new charges for what once were standard amenities.

Want a pillow? It will cost you. Airlines are now charging $7 for that scratchy blanket and understuffed pillow.

Forget about packing clothes. A $15-$50 fee for each checked bag has travelers feeling naked.

Mouth drier than the Sahara? Enjoy $2+ non-alcoholic drinks like water. $7 if you need a little something to take the edge off.

Show your fellow passengers how VIP you are by dropping an extra $14 for additional leg room.

The amenities, now dubbed “a la carte” options, are about as pleasant as your 2 hour delay at JFK.

Cheers!

Sound Off

Renowned artist David Byrne is sounding off. After teaming up with the public art organization Creative Time, Byrne has created quite a stir with his latest bizarre installment. Titled “Playing the Building”, the sound-based interactive exhibit has been sending tingles up the spines of all who come into contact with it. The exhibit is simple – a single wooden organ situated on the cavernous 2nd floor of the Battery Maritime Building. The organ is attached by wires to the building's windows, columns, walls and pipes, which when ‘played’ creates one eerie sounding performance. But don’t expect this organ at your local worship – the howls, squeals, and rattles of the organ are best left for Halloween, not holy hour.

I Love New York

46 million people visited New York City last year, drawn in by the bright lights, Broadway shows, and of course, the weakened US Dollar. Check out the stats:

Ranking as the top 5 markets where NYC is the #1 destination –
#1 United Kingdom, #2 Germany, #3France, #4 Scandinavia, #5 Italy.

Top 5 Broadway shows that we can’t get enough of –
#1 Wicked, #2 Jersey Boys, #3 The Lion King, #4 Mary Poppins, #5 Mamma Mia.


The influx of tourists has also brought in increase in spending, up 34% from last year to nearly 28 billion dollars at the close of 2007.


Who says old age has to come with a price tag? According to Crain’s New York annual NYC statistic guide, they’ve concluded that New Yorker’s 19.7 million residents are healthier than the average American. So much healthier, in fact, that we live a full year longer than our fellow American. Just good genes? Doubtful. Reports show that our City’s superb hospitals, avid anti-smoking campaigns, and amount of walking have all added up to one healthy bod.


New Yorker’s also have a creative edge that no one else can match. A whopping 91% of registered voters in NY reported that they’ve been to a cultural or sporting event in the past year. Over 50% said they’ve been to an art museum. With New York also ranking as the #1 most diverse city in the world, it’s no wonder that New Yorker’s have a cultural outlet like no other.


Just a few reasons why I Love New York.

Freedom for Lady Liberty

7 years after the Statue of Liberty’s crown officially closed for business, the federal government is entertaining the idea of reopening Lady Liberty’s crown to the public. While the pedestal of the statue has remained open since 2004, the crown and narrow staircase leading up to it has been closed after the September 11 attacks, for what we have been told, indefinitely.

But things are finally looking up! The Park Service is currently taking bids from engineering firms to have the structure comply with current safety codes. Although the process could take longer than we hope for, with the bid time taking up to a year, New Yorker’s and visitors alike are excited at the prospect of once again climbing to the top of Lady Liberty and seeing what she has been keeping an eye on for over 100 years.

Central Park Pizza Party

It’s like any other Saturday. You’re stranded in Manhattan (because you are too broke to go to the Hampton’s), and you head over to Central Park to get some sun on your pasty skin (because your cubicle is in the deepest darkest corner of the office, guaranteeing 0% sunlight 100% of the time). You grab your book and blanket, and sit down in the Park for some quality R&R. Then it hits you. You are starving, but you are trapped in the middle of Sheep’s Meadow, and the only way out involves dodging 3 Frisbee games, 2 kite flyers, a crying baby, and a dog off his leash.

Fear no more, park dwelling junkies! Slice, the trendy pizzeria offering deliciously healthy pizzas, now delivers to Central Park! So go on, enjoy your day off, and let Slice do the work. Check it out here!

Happy Independence Day USA!

Rough Riders

Looking for a place to cool off this summer? Why not take it underground? No, I’m not recommending a late night rendezvous in the local subway car, but I am telling you to get off your butt and watch some girls kick butt at New York’s only all-female roller derby league.

Gotham Girls Roller Derby, comprised of a mash up of rocker / model / athlete chicks, gathered from all across the city’s tough streets to create one mean team. So if you’re cruising for a bruising, roll over to this month’s derby matchup which is sure to be a fierce fight to the end.

Warm Up to Summer

If you haven’t been to P.S. 1 Contemporary Art Center – get there. Now.

This year marks the 10th Anniversary of the Center’s “Warm Up” series. Every Saturday until Labor Day, Warm Up offers live music and DJ acts that have become one of New York’s most anticipated events. With the series becoming so popular, people across the globe are even taking notice. The Observer (UK) ranked it as one of the “20 Hottest Beach Parties in the World”. Even the New Yorker’s bible, Time Out, voted Warm Up the “best club” in New York City (if you consider a club one that closes by 9pm).

And if this hasn’t knocked your socks off yet, the 10th anniversary of the series will be bringing forth the wildest collection of bands and DJ’s yet – punk, funk, electronic and psychedelic – creating a 6 hour musical phenomenon for you to get your groove on.

Gray Skies

With Café Gray officially vacated from the famed Time Warner Center, the third-floor space will welcome another renowned restaurant slated to open in the current space early next year. A Voce, the second restaurant to open under the same name, will be setting up shop at the new uptown location. Offering modern Italian cuisine, the interior of A Voce will feature a modern-industrial look that will no doubt impress even the toughest of critics.

Waterfalls Open!

Today marks the official first day of the Waterfalls! Check 'em out.

Park It

Yesterday, the Mayor of New York declared Park Avenue a ‘No Driving’ zone every Saturday of the summer. The closures, stretching all the way from the Brooklyn Bridge to 72nd Street, will give way to cyclists, tourists, and pedestrians who will no doubt enjoy the car-free Avenue. Fitness, dance, and yoga classes as well as bike repair and water stations are among the outdoor recreations passerby’s can enjoy. While there is some speculation that that the closing of Park Avenue will just create a parking lot in the rest of the city, there is no doubt that New York City’s biking elite will enjoy the 7 mile stretch of cab-free cruising.

The Buzz Around Town

The rain couldn’t keep us locked up for one more night as we ventured over to the Palace Hotel for a summer BBQ celebration in the Courtyard. And in true Palace style we feasted – Lobsters, a raw bar, crab legs and the best mac & cheese on the east coast were just a few of the delectable choices for us to divulge our taste buds with. And while we dabbled with the ice cream station, and enjoyed our corn on the cob, we perked an ear up for some good Palace gossip. Not to be confused with our favorite show Gossip Girl (also shot at the Palace Hotel), this gossip came in the form of a brand new cocktail bar situated in the Courtyard of the hotel for the entire summer. Say it isn’t so? A full bar for us to wash away our work stress right inside of the tree lined courtyard off of Madison Avenue? Our sources say it’s true, but only time will tell. More updates to come…

Quit Horsing Around

As summer quickly approaches, we thought it would only be fitting to send an ode to a Hampton’s pastime that was once reserved only for NYC bankers and their millions. Polo. Not to be confused with the “casual Friday” staple, Polo has landed in a somewhat unlikely location. Stationed on Governors Island, the Manhattan Polo Classic will be competing with the view of Manhattan as their backdrop for the first time in over 70 years. Are you a NYC Banker? Weasel your way into the VIP tent where a gourmet lunch and Veuve champagne is yours for the taking. Once the match is over, take some time to walk around the tiny 172-acre island (22 city blocks for us New Yorker’s), and check out the sites.

Crowds and the City

Thousands of faithful fans came to Radio City Music hall from all over the world to show their support for the cult that is Sex & the City. Over 6,000 people showed up to try and catch a glimpse of the fabulous 4some of Carrie, Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte. Dressed in their finest Manolo Blahniks, fans braved thunderstorms and extreme heat to be the first to see the movie premier in all its glory. With only enough seats for 2,000, the mob turned unruly, with many being turned away before they even reached the door.
Luckily for us, there are plenty of watering holes nearby (like the Oak Room at the Plaza) where fans could sip on Cosmo’s and dream of their fairytale wedding to Mr. Big.

Happy 125th Birthday Brooklyn Bridge!

Now That's a View

As the temperatures in New York slowly rise to sweltering summer heat, New Yorker’s ascend as well. With rooftop bars still all the rage, three new noteworthy bars have grabbed our attention.

#1 Highbar – Slated to open early next week, this midtown rooftop on West 48th Street welcomes rooftop revelers with a stellar view and simple backyard grill food like hot dogs and hamburgers. Drawbacks? No pool. See #2.

#2 Pooldeck – With its grand opening earlier this month at the Empire Hotel, this rooftop bar has, you guessed it, a pool. While the space itself isn’t massive (reps say it can hold a max of 150 guests), it will be a refreshing addition to the city. Drawbacks? Too small to get your groove on. See #3.

#3 230 Fifth – Okay. 230 Fifth is not the newest roof on the block, but we still feel it deserves our attention. With over 1,200 square feet of rooftop space, complete with an up close view of the Empire State Building, this rooftop still takes the cake as the place to see and be seen among New Yorker’s.

Rinkside Sips

It’s official. Rockefeller Center’s iconic skating rink has officially closed to make way for their summer Rink Bar. The closing of the Rock skating rink signifies the formal end to winter, welcoming in its place signature cocktails and summertime snacks. The Bar, surrounded by gardens previously occupied by the ice, is still one of the best kept secrets of New York. The Rink Bar also includes the famous view of the gilded statue of Prometheus, surrounded by a water fountain and unobstructed views of Rockefeller Center. And as we wipe away our winter memories with their signature mango mojito, we can’t help but count down the days until our city’s Tree returns.