Dog Friendly NYC

Biscuit Leads a Doggy Conga, with El Bandito Bringing Up the Rear at a Dog Park

Well, it's been a long long long time since I last posted on this blog.  I took a break and did some consulting work; got a new dog, El Bandito (an adorable Havanese); and generally tried some new things not directly related to exploring NYC.

I wanted, however, to share with folks thinking about visiting NYC with their dog(s), that NYC is VERY dog-friendly.  Unlike most cities where dogs are not generally welcome, NYC allows dogs to enjoy the City with you when you go shopping (not only big department stores but small boutiques too), when you go out to eat (if there is outdoor seating they are usually allowed if you ask nicely beforehand), and even in your hotel (The W, The Beekman, Doubletree Suites, The Four Seasons, and so many more!).

Recently with the weather finally turning nicer (although the last couple of days we were hit with the humidity normally reserved for mid-summer), I've visited some local dog parks.  This is a great link that has maps and rules about them all over the five boroughs: NYC Dog Parks

I often go to the Peter Detmold Dog Park between 49th and 51st just west of the FDR. But for cool breezes, the East Side Pavillion (see right) with entrance ramps from 66th and 60th off the FDR is hard to beat.

A few words of warning:  Not all dog owners are watchful of their dogs.  When I go to dog parks, I ALWAYS scope out the dogs and their human companions.  If any of them look aggressive or oblivious, I move on--better safe than sorry (I've heard too many horror stories of dog attacks).  Also, if you have a small dog, take extra care when crossing streets, as some drivers take corners or turns tightly and quickly and could hit a dog that runs ahead or lags behind you.

Enjoy the City with your furry companions!

Art Around NYC: Various

If you walk the streets of NYC with your eyes open, you will be rewarded with some really amazing artwork.  Don't make the mistake of just keeping your head down shuffling from home or subway to work and back.  Look up and take a look around.

If you live or work in midtown east, you may be familiar with the Lever House.  This commercial building often has art exhibits on display in the lobby for public enjoyment.  Richard Marshall, the curator the for the building's art collection, does an amazing job bringing fabulous art to New Yorkers and NYC visitors.  Located at 54th Street and Park Avenue, the current exhibit called "Land Mind" by Paula Hayes is a man-sized tulip-shaped aquarium housing exotic fish (Bangaii cardinal fish, purple-faced fire fish, shrimp, snails, clown fish, a starfish and various coral) (see above).  It is spectacular and definitely worth a look if you are in the neighborhood. In the past, they have had a great building-sized collection of Hello Kitty sculptures.  I love walking by this place.

Currently, there is also a fun exhibit in the Anthropologie store at Rockefeller Center.  "War Against Gravity" (see left) by Gordon Harrison Hull, is a fantastical motorbike/tricycle that looks like a vehicle that Mork from Ork would drive (yes, that's old school).  They also have a rotating exhibit so if you can spare a little time from your shopping adventures, poke your head into this side room on the main floor and be dazzled.

Not that long ago, there was also one of the magnificent giant balloon dogs by Jeff Koons in an office lobby in midtown east.  I was afraid to take a picture, as Mr. Koons is so litigation happy (did you read about how he tried to sue a S.F. gallery for making balloon dog bookends?--as if he can now claim that he owns all balloon dogs).  

Anyway, I just wanted to tell people about the real art available for the public to see for free around NYC.  Enjoy!

Chelsea Market: 9th and 10th Aves between 15th and 16th Streets

I suppose the Chelsea Market is not a "unique" shopping/dining mall (unless one over-uses the word "unique" the way people are negligently apt to do now). 

However, it is a great place to do some eclectic shopping:  There is a dairy, a separate artisanal cheese shop called Lucy's Whey, gorgeous chocolates at Jacques Torres, and distinctive clothes at Anthropologie, just to name a few.  Then there is great food, including a super gluten-free-friendly place called Friedman's Lunch, a fantastic flavorful Thai place, and what I consider the best gelateria in NYC -- L'Arte del Gelato. 

Finally, it is great to spend an afternoon taking in temporary art installations (see the "Dog Show" photography exhibit by Lucille Fornasieri Gold at right and currently on view through March 31, 2012), and (best of all) you can pass hours just watching New Yorkers in their element.

The market was originally the National Biscuit Company in the late 1800s.  Yes, this was the original home of the Oreo!  In 1913 this main building was built on landfill - the timbers, chain and anchor of a two-masted schooner were found during excavation in later restorations.  If you look closely around the mall, you will see evidence of the history and archeology.

If you are in the neighborhood, take a step in and you are bound to be surprised to be face to face with history and perhaps find things that you never knew you needed (ok, wanted).  It is very accessible, friendly, and quirky in the best way. 

You might also see a celebrity or two (Food Network films Iron Chef here), and Genevieve Gorder of HGTV also frequents the shops here.

Enjoy!

Belvedere Castle: Central Park around 79th Street

Sorry it has been a while since my last post.  I have been going through some personal projects and had decided to not go crazy by adding this blog to my "must do" list.

However, I think/hope I am back on an even keel now, and I wanted to tell folks about the great walking tours provided by the Central Park Conservancy.  They have guided tours and hands on activities offered almost every day (check out their calendar at Central Park Tours).  I imagine as the weather becomes more and more mild, the tours will be more and more popular.

Today's tour began at Belvedere Castle (see left), which is a 3/4th-sized replica of a fort in Normandy, France.  It was built as a folly, simply to attract attention and be a whimsical addition to the park.  It never housed any grand personage.  And it has really only served as a weather station and an office for the Central Park Conservancy.

From the top of the castle, which is the highest point in Central Park, you can see equipment for the weather station in the Rambles to the south, the Delacorte Theater (where the summer time Shakespeare in the Park performances are held) to the north, the Great Lawn (where summer concerts are held -- the latest one being that of The Black Eyed Peas), and the man-made Turtle Pond (filled with NYC drinking water and home to 5 species of turtles) to the east (see right).

The guided tour lasts about an hour, and includes a leisurely walk between various points of interest.  I won't be a spoiler and go through all of the stops, here, but I want to just mention some of them in order to illustrate the care with which the tour was designed.  The Greywacke Arch (see above left), which is one of over 30 uniquely designed tunnels/bridges in the park, opens up to views of the back of The Metropolitan Museum (constructed to make reference to the great Egyptian pyramids). 

The statue of Polish King Jagiello (one of over 50 statues dotting the park, see above right) that was presented in NY during the Worlds Fair of 1939 and found its permanent home in Central Park when it could not be returned to Poland due to the Nazi invasion following the fair.  Then, of course, there is the great Egyptian obelisk (the oldest monument in the Park) from 1600 BC; take the time to walk all the way around the obelisk to get better views of the hieroglyphics, as the wear patterns vary greatly due to how the obelisk spent hundreds of years on its side after wars and earthquakes.

Throughout the tour, the guide answered questions from the over 20 visitors on the tour.  He was very informative about the history of the park, its construction, and restoration projects led by Parks Commissioner Robert Moses.  He also shared the philosophies of the 19th century designers Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux who wanted the park to be a natural refuge from the City.  Insights about the variations from the original designs (there was only supposed to be one statue in the entire park--the Angel of the Waters Rising from Bethesda Terrace, also called Bethesda Fountain), the needs of the growing City, and the resurrection of the park from its graffiti-ridden and violent history of the 70s, were all woven into a very interesting hour.

I would highly recommend these free guided tours of the park.  They are casual, friendly, and enriching.  Rather than just walking through, as I have done innumerable times in the past, this time, the great vistas (see above left a view of the Great Lawn with the NYC skyline of buildings to the south) came to life.

Sony Wonder Technology Lab: 55th St & Madison Ave

There is a saying that "you get what you pay for" but when it comes to the Sony Wonder Technology Lab in Manhattan, that is definitely not the case.  This FREE technology and entertainment museum (Tues-Sat 9:30am - 5:30 pm) is fantastic.

I happened by this museum when I ducked into the public Sony Plaza just to get out of the rain.  I saw a small group of people clustered around an elevator and decided to see what they were waiting for since I didn't have to be anywhere soon.  When I saw it was the museum I had heard about from a friend in the past, I checked to see if I could get a free stand-by ticket (you can reserve advanced tickets (online or at 212-833-8100) and it is recommended during more busy times of year) and I scored immediately. The next group was being taken up in 1 minute and there was no line.  What luck!

Upon entry, they distribute an electronic "ID" that you use to activate any station you are interested in interacting with.  You get your picture taken, design your "voice image" and fill out a few other characteristics that help make the experience personal (these are all recorded on your personalized certificate print out at the end).  My "logo," which I created by manipulating my picture on their easy-to-use touch screen, is shown at the bottom right in the picture above alongside the images of fellow visitors.

Then you start winding down the 4 flights of the museum and can read innumerable displays and interact with over a dozen exhibits.  It is fun and educational (and not in the way that they say that phrase in school or most other museums--these are really fun!).  I learned about how digital signals travel, programmed a robot (see above right), tried digital animation, took a turn in a dance motion capture (fancy term for the Wii-like dancing game), designed a racing game, made a little movie clip including sound effects and music, and so much more! 

My favorite activity was the computer graphics dancing program.  In film making, they usually put sensors on major joints of the actors and let the cameras that are digitally "connected" or "reading" the actors movements, create animated characters that move the way the actors do (see photo at left that shows the angles used to translate the movements).  The little girl pictured at right is my animated character mimicking my dance moves to Willow Smith's "Whip My Hair."

If you are ever in the midtown east area, you MUST visit the Sony Wonder Technology Lab.  It is truly a gem in the City for young and old.

Christmas Show Tapings: Various

The Wendy Williams Show

If you are lucky enough to have free time in NYC during the holiday season, I would highly recommend getting tickets to some of the numerous shows that tape in NYC.  Among them are The View, The Nate Berkus Show (this is the last season, as it was not renewed), Martha Stewart, The Wendy Williams Show, and Rachel Ray.  I was fortunate enough to get to three of these shows before I went on vacation and it was a blast!

This is the season of audience-give-aways.  At The Wendy Williams Show, it is a big dance party.  The music is blasting, and the audience is hip and jamming.  It is not for the faint of heart, but if you are up for a morning party, it is fantastic.  I walked away with gifts that were valued at up to $250.

The Martha Stewart Show

At the Martha Stewart Show, I noticed that the gifting was a little lighter than in the past (I had heard that Martha Stewart Omnimedia is dealing with some financial concerns), but our audience went home with a book and a one-cup coffee maker.  Besides the entertainment provided by Joey Kola was great.

Finally, for The Nate Berkus Show, I responded to an executive producer email, asking for volunteer participants and was rewarded handsomely.  I brought an old shirt about which I was able to ask Isaac Mizrahi about re-freshing/salvaging.  Isaac drew a sketch for me with his ideas, and Nate gave me a $300 gift card!  Plus the whole audience received gifts valued at over $800--yes, we lucked out and were in the BIG holiday gift show.

The Nate Berkus Show

Even if you aren't able to coordinate requesting tickets online in advance (they are free directly from the show websites so don't fall for online re-sellers/aggregators), you can also try to get stand by tickets. 

Although it is after the holiday gifting season, I may try to go on the Monday after Christmas or the Monday after New Years Day when our work office is closed.  Can you tell?  I'm a little obsessed.  What can I say?  Who doesn't love getting free things?  And while not all the gifts are things I could/would use, don't worry I'm not hoarding things in my small NYC apartment.  There are worthy charities as well as eBay to help manage the potential clutter.

Christmas Time in NYC: Various

Christmas time in New York City--what could be more festive?!

Bryant Park (42nd Street between 5th and 6th Avenues) has an ice skating rink outdoors (see above) surrounded by pop up shops that include fabulous kettle corn, a pickle shop, and a place mimicking an outdoor porch in the Southwest (see right) complete with heat lamps and swing benches.  The shops that line the passage ways also have lots of shops that sell items for great gifts like one of a kind metal sculptures, artisan jewelry, and stocking stuffers like ear muffs and scarves.

Then there is Rockefeller Center (50th Street between 5th and 6th Avenues), with its ice skating rink and huge Christmas tree (which was first lit by President Obama--yes, he was back clogging up traffic again).  I was there the day before the tree was fully assembled (did you know it comes in parts and gets screwed in together?) (see left) as well as a few days after it was completed (see below right).  Generally I try to stay away from the masses of tourists and frenzied shoppers, but I had my own holiday shopping to do, which led me unavoidably through this area.

If you can't get your fill of Christmas trees, there is also a pretty one in the courtyard of the Palace Hotel (50th Street and Madison--the place the Pope stays whenever he comes to NYC), which is flanked by two men dressed as toy soldiers (great for photo opportunities). 

If you'd like a more sophisticated looking tree, then I think there is nothing as striking as the tree in the courtyard by the famous Le Cirque restaurant (59th Street between 3rd Avenue and Lexington) (see below).  With its white lights and the white Moravian-style lighted ornaments, it really is beautiful--plus, you can get some shopping done nearby at the newly opened CB2 or Home Depot (my secretly favorite store).

Finally, as always, NYC has its share of spectacular outdoor sculptures and exhibits, and the holidays bring out the best.  As an example, on 6th Avenue just around the corner from Rockefeller Center, there are huge ornaments along the east side of the street (see below).  











There are innumerable holiday sights to take in around New York City.  Not least of all, the famous Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall (6th Avenue between 50th and 51st Streets) with the Rockettes (tickets are still available).  So if you happen to be in the City during this wintertime, I hope you have a chance to enjoy all that the City has to offer.