Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Friday, August 8, 2008
All the world'll flyin a flurry
When I take you out in the surrey....Oklahoma
A mere 800 yards from Lower Manhattan sits a small secretive wonderland. Governors Island has a bright and important history. (Check out www.govisland.com) What a blessing that it has been reopened for public use!
This morning we headed out on the first quick ferry jaunt available. The ferry ride is literally moments long. Two moms and three kids we were and ready for a morning of some fun finds. We lucked out and were able to rent a bicycle surrey through the new bike share program in NYC.
The surrey was a blast! Not only were we able to cover a ton of terrority but able to do it in fine fine style. Our model was very similar to this one.
We ventured around with the two big kids riding up front in first class style and with the little tyke helping to copilot between us. Loaded in and wheeling around we took the island by storm.
For nearly two centuries Governors Island served as a military base. Since September 1996 it has sat as a virtual ghost town. Perfect homes with parklike surroundings are everywhere. In the later years the island even house a motel, a YMCA, a theatre and a bowling alley. Throw in the schools and churches and there you have the entire community. Not to mention the military buildings...Fort Jay, Castle Williams....all very important to the history of the island.
Zipping around in our surrey one could almost feel some of the buildings come to life. Many a military brat had probably ridden their bikes through the same paths. Growing up in this oasis with the Statue of Liberty out your front door and Manhattan out the side door must have provided for quite the childhood. Reading up on some of the "brats" prior had their stories running through my head.
After our surrey tour we reluctantly returned it! We had bonded with that surrey and loved it. It was quite the workout though. We found a breezy shady spot on the eastside of the island overlooking my favorite little island in the world Manhattan. Enjoying a picnic lunch while watching the children play riverside with in my opinion the most breathtaking backdrop in the world is priceless. These kids are city through and through.
On the return ferry home we enjoyed an upclose view of Olafur Eliasson Waterfall on the island. The city is home to four waterfalls this season as a public art project. www. nycwaterfalls.org can give you a little background on the art . We are fortunate in our neighborhood due to proximity that we have gotten to enjoy them regularly.
Stepping back onto Manhattan and the Battery Maritime Building we went to check out Playing the Building, a sound installation by Former Talking Head David Byrne. An old church organ is placed in the center and made to literally "play the building." The organ controls well placed devices (on the pillars, old radiators, beams, pipes, etc). The sounds are spooky and soothing and crazy! It is an incredible interactive art exhibit.
It was a beautiful and educational morning. Summer will soon be over and it was great to take advantage of wonderful things right in our own little neighborhood.
A mere 800 yards from Lower Manhattan sits a small secretive wonderland. Governors Island has a bright and important history. (Check out www.govisland.com) What a blessing that it has been reopened for public use!
This morning we headed out on the first quick ferry jaunt available. The ferry ride is literally moments long. Two moms and three kids we were and ready for a morning of some fun finds. We lucked out and were able to rent a bicycle surrey through the new bike share program in NYC.
The surrey was a blast! Not only were we able to cover a ton of terrority but able to do it in fine fine style. Our model was very similar to this one.
We ventured around with the two big kids riding up front in first class style and with the little tyke helping to copilot between us. Loaded in and wheeling around we took the island by storm.
For nearly two centuries Governors Island served as a military base. Since September 1996 it has sat as a virtual ghost town. Perfect homes with parklike surroundings are everywhere. In the later years the island even house a motel, a YMCA, a theatre and a bowling alley. Throw in the schools and churches and there you have the entire community. Not to mention the military buildings...Fort Jay, Castle Williams....all very important to the history of the island.
Zipping around in our surrey one could almost feel some of the buildings come to life. Many a military brat had probably ridden their bikes through the same paths. Growing up in this oasis with the Statue of Liberty out your front door and Manhattan out the side door must have provided for quite the childhood. Reading up on some of the "brats" prior had their stories running through my head.
After our surrey tour we reluctantly returned it! We had bonded with that surrey and loved it. It was quite the workout though. We found a breezy shady spot on the eastside of the island overlooking my favorite little island in the world Manhattan. Enjoying a picnic lunch while watching the children play riverside with in my opinion the most breathtaking backdrop in the world is priceless. These kids are city through and through.
On the return ferry home we enjoyed an upclose view of Olafur Eliasson Waterfall on the island. The city is home to four waterfalls this season as a public art project. www. nycwaterfalls.org can give you a little background on the art . We are fortunate in our neighborhood due to proximity that we have gotten to enjoy them regularly.
Stepping back onto Manhattan and the Battery Maritime Building we went to check out Playing the Building, a sound installation by Former Talking Head David Byrne. An old church organ is placed in the center and made to literally "play the building." The organ controls well placed devices (on the pillars, old radiators, beams, pipes, etc). The sounds are spooky and soothing and crazy! It is an incredible interactive art exhibit.
It was a beautiful and educational morning. Summer will soon be over and it was great to take advantage of wonderful things right in our own little neighborhood.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Subterranean smart cocktails and many kisses
“Most human beings are driven to seek security and comfort. But there is another group that can only thrive on change and the unexpected of New York.” -- Cathleen Nesbit
We hopped on the 1 train without a destination and ended up getting off at Houston St. We had previously eyeballed an intriguing door on the corner of Seventh Ave and Leroy we decided to take the plunge. The nearly unmarked door led to a dark staircase to the basement. Once inside this quaint speakeasy we allowed our eyes to adjust to the nearly complete darkness. Cozy little booths awaited and jazz tunes were in the air. It was a grand experience. The drinks are from another era. Little Branch is fun, relaxing and a little bit swank.
A lovely apres cocktail walk led us to dine at Tanti Baci. It is a "flower room" setting. It is mainly composed of few wooden tables in chairs tucked in nook of Seventh Avenue. The menu is simple and divine. There is more than enough pasta and sauce combinations to please any palate. The location is in the heart of Greenwich Village. The setting is so pleasing it is as if you are dining among friends in a quaint atmosphere. Loved it. Will definitely be back. Rumor has it the desserts are perfect.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Monday, July 7, 2008
Every Building has a Story
Who knew in this building...
one could find this.
A Sunday morning walk through Little Italy or more specifically the area known as Nolita added some visual pleasures to the day. St. Michael's Russian Catholic Church has a building that is relatively unassuming in this great city. The small structure is planted between St. Patrick's Old Cathedral (more on that in a future post.) and the St. Patrick's Youth Center. St. Michael's was originally the Chancery for Old St. Pats.
Walking into St. Michael's and peering through an interior glass window held incredible sights. This Catholic community follows the Russian tradition of the Byzantine Church. Even with 12 plus years of formal Catholic education behind me this was something completely new. I happened upon this sacred place during the Divine Liturgy. The spectacle was tiny but brillant.
This particular Church was established in the 1930's at 266 Mulberry to provide for Russian Catholic immigrants who had fled their homeland. The most striking difference noticed in a my few minutes of spying in was the congregation constantly standing and the iconostasis separating the sancutuary from the rest of the Church.
Very interesting indeed. I will definitely be doing a bit of internet research on the Byzantine Rite.
one could find this.
A Sunday morning walk through Little Italy or more specifically the area known as Nolita added some visual pleasures to the day. St. Michael's Russian Catholic Church has a building that is relatively unassuming in this great city. The small structure is planted between St. Patrick's Old Cathedral (more on that in a future post.) and the St. Patrick's Youth Center. St. Michael's was originally the Chancery for Old St. Pats.
Walking into St. Michael's and peering through an interior glass window held incredible sights. This Catholic community follows the Russian tradition of the Byzantine Church. Even with 12 plus years of formal Catholic education behind me this was something completely new. I happened upon this sacred place during the Divine Liturgy. The spectacle was tiny but brillant.
This particular Church was established in the 1930's at 266 Mulberry to provide for Russian Catholic immigrants who had fled their homeland. The most striking difference noticed in a my few minutes of spying in was the congregation constantly standing and the iconostasis separating the sancutuary from the rest of the Church.
Very interesting indeed. I will definitely be doing a bit of internet research on the Byzantine Rite.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Hot dogs and a speakeasy
While entertaining friends from the 817 we discovered another fascinating NY treat. PDT (Please Don't Tell) is a hidden gem of a cocktail lounge. Located on St. Mark's Place in the bosom of the East Village no sign is necessary. PDT is day of reservations only. Luck was on our side and we scored a pre-dinner reservation at this lovely little lounge.
To go to this subterranean one must go into the hot dog dive. Once inside make your way to the phone booth and after that you are on your own. Yes, go to the phone booth. Check it out.
I won't write anymore. Go and enjoy.
PDT is a sweet secret in Gotham. Maybe I shouldn't tell? No, it's okay. We are friends.
Coney Island, USA
Summer has arrived and in celebration we headed out to Coney Island. Today was the 25th Mermaid Parade and what a spectacle it was. Men, women, children, and in betweens all enjoyed the parade of thousands on the boardwalk. The backdrop with the historical Coney Island amusement parks on one side and the beach on the other added up for one memorable day.
The Mermaid Parade pays homage to Coney Island's forgotten Mardi Gras which lasted from 1903 to 1954. NYC boldest and brightest show up dressed to thrill. Costumes range from mermaids to neptunes to subway cars. It is a bawdy display of colorful people waving their freak flag proudly.
If you aren't familiar with the history and controversy surrounding Coney Island you should treat yourself and do a bit of internet research on the subject. It is quite fascinating. Personally I hope the developers pull back and let this one of a kind all American seaside piece of history continue to bless the shores of Brooklyn.
"It is blatant, it is cheap, it is the apotheosis of the ridiculous. But it is something more; it is like Niagara Falls or the Grand Canyon or Yellowstone Park; it is a national playground, and not to have seen it is not to have seen your own country," said Reginald Wright Kauffman in 1909 of Coney Island.
This seashore playground offers everything from sideshow school to the best in burlesque to the wonderful New York Aquarium. In some ways it is as though time stood still. Coney Island is the epitome of things we wish we could do and not look back.
Time has taken its toll on Coney Island. The beach is not the cleanest. In the amusement areas there is a charge to use the restrooms. The area is not the safest but there is just something about it. The mind wanders to years gone by. I always think of those gritty city kids of the Depression that waited all winter long for one life changing day at Coney Island.
Coney Island is shocking, breathtaking and a relief all at once. The richness of the people of Coney Island shines through. The aficionados of this incredible land truly make it great. They are passionate and eccentric. We all need a bit of Coney Island in us.
*Random fact...the first American hot dog was introduced in Coney Island around 1870 by German immigrant Charles Feltman.
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