Fall in NYC

Fall brings NYC residents outdoors. Here's a few insider places to visit.

Check out website for Brooklyn Botanic Gardens, - a walk, a class, something special...
as well
The Bronx Botanical Gardens, I have taken photography classes there in the past and enjoyed a wonderful guided tour. Yep New Yorkers don't often believe they need a 'guide' but I've learned how enriching it can be.
The Queens Botanical Garden is 'kid friendly' and is accessible by public transporation, yep, even from the Bronx.

The outdoors list includes Wave Hill in the Bronx and, of course, The Cloisters a branch of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

All of the above are great places to sit and knit, crochet or gain inspiration for the fiber arts and other media.

I'm sure there are many other outdoor venues you will add in comments- for Fall 2008.

Jazz in New York City

New York City is a Jazz lovers dream come true this summer. Most days you can find a free or affordable performance in any of the 5 boros. There's jazz for the purist and performances with blues and rock. Even BAM- (Brooklyn Academy of Music) is hosting lunchtime concerts at Metrotech.

There's jazz in Harlem Meer and the Charlie Parker Festival as well as jazz at Scandanavia House.

If you are interested in Smooth Cruises it's a good idea to order tickets early. I've been watching each cruise sell out.

Things Hispanic

There are numerous Hispanic cultural centers, activities, events and cultural events throughout New York City. Most museums host one or more exhibitions and events throughout the year, so residents and visitors alike are best served performing a google search. However, what residents know is a jumping off point is The Hispanic Society and some of the best restaurants, especially Mexican and Dominican are found in the outer boroughs.

Things Indian

Little India also known as Curry Hill is an area in New York City centered around the intersection of 28th Street and Lexington Avenue in Manhattan. Although this Indian community is not especially large (as compared to the Queens/Jackson Heights area, where the Indian population is now almost 110,000), the small vital area has good restaurants and interesting shops. There’s a saree store (traditional Indian dress) grocery stores and restaurants. It is not unusual to find workers who do not speak English, yet the majority of shop owners do conduct their business in English.

One of the draws to this area of New York City is the smells, cumin and fennel permeate the air from the spice shops and the restaurants. Vegetarian choices are on just about every Indian restaurant menu, and both Madras Mahal (27th & Lexington) or Saravannas (26th & Lexington) get rave reviews. Pongal’s website lets you reserve a table online and Madras Mahal advertize that they are strictly kosher.

An interesting website to get a sense of the area is Neil’s Curry Hill favorites at http://mondomap.com/?mapid=227

Things German

New York City has a lot to offer for those looking for things German. Restaurants can be found in the Yorkville area like the Heidelberg on Second Avenue Hallo Berlin over on 1oth Avenue and Lederhosen German Wurst and Bierhaus on Grove Street. In the outlying boroughs try Zum Stammtisch in Queens.

There are a number of events and activities that take place monthly throughout the city. For example, the Tribeca Film Festival includes Seven Days Sunday (Sieben Tage Sonntag) during April.

The best resource for keeping up with things German in New York City is Germany In New York City

Ethnic New York

New York City is a melting pot -- still! Residents of NYC often seek out food, entertainment and other services that reinforce their cultural identity. The next few blog posts will share with you some of the opportunities to be introduced to new cultures or touch base with one's own.



I'll provide links that will give information on East, West, North and South of the globe's cultural opportunities and activities in the city, and, of course, rely on your emails and comments to make the information timely and relevant. The Babelfish translation link will support translation.

Spring in New York City

Spring is unfolding in New York City and that means residents and visitors alike are looking for things to do. Knitting, crochet, weaving and other fiber arts activities are very popular. With the Euro/US dollar ratio in favor of tourists, New York City is a great knitters and other yarn enthusiasts destination. There are also a number of good deeds one can accomplish while knitting in New York City. Knitting for charity is a way to get free patterns .
In Spring when New Yorkers are not knitting they are often laughing—at places like the Improv or taking continuing education classes at places like Bronx Community College Continuing & Professional Studies. I’ve heard that they are putting together their annual SummerArts program and will update you when the new schedule is available.
Spring also means baseball and some just visit the website for the NY Yankees and others actually order tickets. Oh so do Mets fans. One thing in common for all fans is waiting for the new stadiums nor is that stadia?
We’ll be posting more Spring activities for New York City residents and visitors, so stay tuned!

More March Events New York City

More events to enjoy in New York City during March include:

New York City Pillow Fight 2008
The third annual pillow fight will be held in Union Square Park on Saturday, March 22, 2008 at 3 p.m. Bring a pillow and a friend or assailant. The subway lines all stop at 14th Street- Union Square. This year’s event will coincide with pillow fights in cities all over the world on World Pillow Fight Day. This year's pillow fight is timed to coincide with pillow fights in cities all over the world. Learn more about World Pillow Fight Day.

The annual New York City Easter Day Parade is Sunday March 23, 2008 . Paraders often begin at St. Patrick's Cathedral and the parade of fashionistas is on Fifth Avenue, from 44th to 55th Street

March Events New York City

If you’re travelling to New York City to cheer on your favorite basketball team during March Madness, there are other things to do and see while you are here.

The 11th Annual USA Memory Championship will be held on Saturday, March 8, 2008 from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at the Con Edison Grand Auditorium, 4 Irving Place (14th Street) in New York City and is FREE for spectators.This annual event is for "Mental Athletes" to compete in events like memorizing a string of 1,000 random digits, or two decks of shuffled cards, 99 names and faces, 100 spoken words and an unpublished 50 line poem. This year’s tournament includes challengers from around the country. The winner of the USA Memory Championship qualifies to compete against the champions of other countries in the World Memory Championships.

Then on March 9 there’s the New York Open Judo Championship held at the New York Athletic Club, 180 Central Park South with participants from 23 countries.

And not to miss the The Pier Antiques Show at Pier 94, 55th Street & 12th Avenue, Saturday and Sunday, March 15-16, 2008. The Pier Antiques Show will have thousands of shoppers and about 500 exhibitors . Items will include art and antiques, collectibles , interesting modern furnishings as well as vintage fashions. Admission is $15 with children under 16 accompanied by an adult FREE. http://www.stellashows.com/.

Of course New Yorker’s and visitors alive will enjoy the St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Monday March 17, 2008. After the parade head to McSorley's , New York City's oldest continuously operated saloon. Established in 1854. McSorley's offers a uniquel pub experience with sawdust-covered floors, and the legendary backroom where the ale flowed during Prohibition. Women have only been welcomed at McSorley's since 1970 (and the ladies’ room was installed sixteen years later). There are only two kinds of beer available – McSorley’s Light and McSorley’s Dark – and you’ll have to belly up to the bar to get a pint. There are no stools.15 E 7th Street between 2nd and 3rd Avenues, 212-473-9148. Take the #6 train to Astor Place.

Molly's Pub & Restaurant, Shebeen is a traditional Irish pub with sawdust on the floor and a log-burning fireplace. This pub is famous for its Shepherd's Pie and pints of Guinness. Reasonable prices. Molly's is located at 287 3rd Avenue near 22nd Street, 212-889-3361Take the #6 train to 23rd Street

And the China Institute has an exhibition, Tea, Wine & Poetry: Qing dynasty literati and their drinking vessels from March 24–June 16, 2008. The China Institute is located at 125 East 65 Street and hours are Monday–Saturday ~ 10 AM–5 PM and Tuesday & Thursday ~ 10 AM–8 PM

CHOCOLATE -NEW YORK CITY

Chocolate! I've decided to be reincarnated as chocolate, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, any kind of chocolate. There are a number of exquisite chocolate shops downtown, midtown and uptown in New York City. Tourists and residents alike will enjoy more chocolate in New York City ...

Chocolate Moderne with retail outlets in several states including our beloved North Carolina. Also at Tisserie at Broadway and 17th Street, and then walk on up to 19th Street for Michel Cluizel. Do Not forget Vere's Chocolate Factory with various locations and Vegan sensitivity.

CHOCOLATE - NEW YORK CITY

We all know whatever time of year, chocolate can solve most problems: what to give as a gift-- depression-- lover's quarrel-- and even now perhaps ageing. If nothing else can help one age happily. Here's a short list of places to find really great chocolate.

In and around SOHO :
Vosges Haut-Chocolat has a boutique at 132 Spring Street. Kee's Chocolates at 80 Thompson Street. Then at 484 Broome is MarieBelle Chocolates, and of course as mentioned before Jacques Torres Chocolate Factory has several stores but in this area head over to 350 Hudson Street

Can't make up your mind, well make a day of it and sample from all!

KNITTING Uptown New York City

New York City Residents knit. Take the train, take the bus, walk to the nearest yarn store!

Knitting has been occupying a lot of my time lately-- well mostly ripping, the knitting itself doesn't take much time at all. Yet, I've been meeting a lot of other fiber folk, crocheters, knitters, weavers and they've shared their enthusiasm for a few more yarn shops. These are New York City yarn shops located 'uptown'.

Yarntopia, 974 Amsterdam Avenue, up about 108th Street- have not been there yet, but got a pleasant and quick response to an email I'd sent them; so a definite yes visit- perhaps for some Valentine yarn.

Then there's String now located at 130 East 82nd Street in what is advertised as their new, bigger store.

Knitty City on 79th between Amsterdam and Broadway has been noted as the friendliest yarn store in town. People I've met through fiber groups and random chats while knitting on the subway, who've been to Knitty City, agree.

Knitters like to nosh while knitting, so I welcome comments for some good nosh eat in, take out near these uptown stores. Oops gotta go the magic loop is calling!

Knitting Downtown NYC

Sorry, it's been awhile since posting- life! But wanted to give readers a sense of yarn stores located in the downtown New York City neighborhoods.

So let's start with Seaport Yarns at 135 William Street - In previus posts I've mentioned Purl http://www.purlsoho.comon Sullivan Street- and Downtown Yarns on Avenue A. Downtown you'll also find Knit New York on 14th Street and Schoolhouse Products, Inc on 28th. Another downtown place to knit, eat and purchase yarn is The Point Knitting Cafe on Bedford Street.

Some of the great knitting folk I've met through the Bronx/Westchester Yarn Therapy Group (find them on meetup.com) will let me know about other yarn stores, both 'downtown' and when we visit the resident preferences in other boroughs.