Happy Birthday

Ahh, the 4th of July.

Not a day is more a celebration of America. As good as life is to us we are blessed by overlooking Miss Liberty everyday. A day never passes without being thankful for this glorious picture. She is a a true vision. Tonight we celebrated the most American of holidays with some of our very favorite neighbors. The sounds of our homegrown TriBattery Pops offered us great tunes led by the one and only Tom Goodkind.

With the fireworks lighting the sky over the Statue we are always reminded what a great country we live in.

Midsummer

Lower Manhattan is home to one of the largest Swedish Midsummer Festivals in the world. Usually somewhere around 5,000 people gather in the picturesque Wagner Park to partake in flower wreath making, the raising and dancing around the maypole, singing, and an abundance of Swedish eats. As one of the most major holidays in Sweden the entire park is filled with ex-pats, local neighborhood regulars and people from throughout NYC.


Summer here in New York has not been pleasant weather wise. Too much rain, too many clouds, too chilly. The temperature was absolutely perfect for this colorful celebration. The entertainment was joyful, the flower wreaths were beautiful and the company was extraordinary as always. In my book Wagner Park is one of the most spectacular public spaces in the world so it is hard to go wrong attending any event there. Fiddlers filled the air and Swedish smiles were plentiful.

Sunshine in the rain

Friday's weather felt more like a rainy chilly Fall day. It rained all day long. Nothing could stop our party of seven from a jaunt to the Village. A krewe had gathered to celebrate the recent achievement of a Columbia grad.

Pesce Pasta Trattoria at Bleecker and Cornelia proved why it gets great reviews. The setting was dark and cozy yet not too quiet. While the menu is not extensive it is spot on with a little something for everyone. The food was great and the company proved to be fantastic. Make sure and check out the line up of antipasta displayed in the window. Apres dinner we took a quick walk in the rain to enjoy the delectables at Sweet Revenge.

While the evening was beautiful and happy we were all holding back some sadness as we know the next time we gather will be to bid bon voyage to our friend as she and her lovely family start a new journey in South Africa. NYC is often a transient community. This summer it seems to be hitting hard as we will watch five families take on a new challenge in different cities and countries. It is my wish that all these friends take a bit of New York with them. And when they return whether it be for a visit or to reside that they feel as if they are coming home.

Friday

A botched forecast actually led us to spectacular weather. We are still looking forward to a string of Spring days.

Some images from a Friday evening filled with wanderings, new sights, and constant reminders of why this is our home.


Lillie's-a wonderful new pub on 17th Street.


Stuyvesant Square, serving NYC since 1850.


Bar Carrera, 175 2nd Avenue. Beautiful, dark, perfect. Try it.


Arch at Washington Square Park. This park offers a bit of everything imaginable.

Here's to Spring...

Street Fest

Each year NYC provides the backdrop for an assortment of street festivals. While each festival is for a different occasion or organization and often seem all but the same there is one stand out. The Family Festival Street Fair hosted by the Tribeca Film Festival is the creme de la creme. Greenwich Street in Tribeca is the setting and the day always offers a few surprises. Close to 200, 000 people jam the street to take in the offerings. This year did not disappoint. Shrek, the Broadway musical got the freak flags flying. An appearance by the newly updated "Electric Company" reminded us times have changed since we last watched the shows. The vendors are great and offer amazing activities for the kids. Mr Met even put in an appearance although it was hard to get some hardcore Yankee fan kids to even acknowledge him. Best of all was the chance to go to the screening of Winter's Tail. Held in a private screening room tucked above Bobby D's Tribeca Grill the short version held the children entranced.

Scenes from the Family Festival Street Fair...




The most important event was a bone marrow donor drive. Neighbors flocked to this event. No one was too important for this drive...super models, award winning actors and even the FDNY. This event was held in honor of one of Lower Manhattan's favorite kids. Check out hopeforkai.com Maybe it is time you register?

And how was your Easter?

Easter was windy yet lovely on the streets of Manhattan. As always the day took us to wander through the crowds on Fifth Avenue. Gotham City did not disappoint at the Easter Parade. The hats and the attire were of brilliant hues as if begging Spring to make an appearance. Some of the our favorites were there...the Metrocard hat builders, the Rainbow Man and his Rainbow poodle, a beloved facepainter. Some new favorites appeared.

How is this for your Sunday best?


A bunny version of NYC's most recent miracle...


The Easter/Passover break brought several visitors to New York. It was an eating extravaganza. Some of the cuisines included French at Jacques, Ukrainian at East Village Ukrainian Restaurant, Chinese at Wu Liang Ye, Peruvian at Mancora, incredible pasta at Tanti Baci, Korean at Seh Ja Meh, and with the best waterview in Manhattan at Gigino. A world of foods that were all perfect. New York loves food! One hysterical fun night at Marie's Crisis made great by some visitors from the other coast. They loved every moment of that tiny little basement bar.

Our holiday was bliss. Hope yours was the same.

Down with it.

That is not snow or blur. It is the tiny feathers from the thousands of pillows!

Today marked International Pillow Fight Day. Who knew? Cities across the planet participate in this display of good old fashioned fun. The NYC event took place on Wall Street at Broad. Right in the shadows of the New York Stock Exchange and the super large statue of George Washington standing proudly on the steps of Federal Hall. Thousands of participants showed up to join in the festivities. The start time of 3 pm led to a sight not often seen on Wall Street. Wall Street has an extensive history but "major pillowfight" not being one of them until today.



Police barricades blocked off the area so latecomers joined in by having mini outbreaks of the mayhem on various surrounding blocks.

Even though the weather was windy and cold the spirit was bright and sunny. Spring has to be around the corner...maybe. This winter has been brutal.