City Island, New York

mSo here's the Resident Guide to NYC post about City Island- what some call the Cape Cod of New York City.

City Island is an island in Long Island Sound about 1.25 miles long in the northeast Bronx (NYC) or some like to think the southeast corner of Westchester County. Future posts will talk about the Island's history, but for now NYC visitors might want to know that City Island is a 50+ minute commute from mid-town NYC take the #6 train and then the #29 bus.

My suggestion take the bus to the very last stop, looking out the window- then walk back toward the bridge (City Island Bridge is the connection to the mainland). By riding to the end of the Island first you get a glimpse of what you want to see more of, and the wide variety of eateries - the major draw for visitors to the Island.

When you walk back to the bridge, take a moment sit in Catherine Scott Park and send some good thoughts to Catherine a City Island resident who made major contributions to presevering the history of the Island before her premature passing.

At the bridge area there's at least four seafood restaurants including JP's, Lobster House on the back street not right on the main drag City Island Avenue. My favorite 'big food' restaurant is a few blocks further, Artie's - no not waterfront but consistently good food; yet my overall preference is the several smaller neighborhood restaurants between Fordham and Carroll Streets-- then down 'the end' are the traditional Lobster Box, and the ever people original Sammy's. Johnny's Reef restaurant. The telephone wires around Johnny's home to wild parrots.

Then there's the City Island Nautical Museum on Fordham Street and for historical architecute buffs a significant number of historical homes including 586 City Island Avenue which was home to a sea captain. And recently Island residents reconstructed an historical ship that sits as a monument in front of the public school PS 172 on the Avenue. And of course, Starving Artist Gallery where there's a great music lineup. Music is also on tap across the street from the Tree House Cafe, schedules for both are posted in their windows.

The New York Public Library branch on the Island is home to the largest ship collection in the library system and across the street is Ron Terner's gallery and the lucky lotto store.

Writing this post I'm thinkng City Island and other similar neighborhoods are worthy of their own blogs.

Union Square and Thereabouts

I hosted family 'up from the South' as we New York residents say. It was a great day and reminded me that New Yorker's walk with a synchronous pace and adapting to that pace is very important for effective foot travel.

Family also understood I was not the one who'd join them for the typical tourist attactions, but could share a resident's experience, and, yes, that could include a museum.

So we 'hooked up' at the Rubin Museum of Art 150 West 17th Street. The museum was a winner- even two teenage boys were engaged. The artwork is amazing art, whether applique, photography or painting. I was thrilled because I had a chance to purchase a birthday gift for a friend at the museum's gift shop. (Residents often shop at museum gift shops rather than department store- and the savvy ones know you can enter the gift shop without paying a museum entrance fee.) Another museum 'thereabouts' is the New Museum of Contemporary Art.
Teenage boys is the metaword here, means' I'm hungry'. So off we went in search of food. That is until we found The Angels Thrift Store a fantastic place to purchase good clothes, jewelry, home decor and contribute to social good. For those of you younger than I-- rush there's a fantastic red suede jacket with a huge red feather collar to die for, especially in this red season.

Still heading East on 14th we weren't too thrilled with the ambience of our original choices and by then the out of towners decided they wanted a real New York pizza. At least 3-4 other residents provided us with recommendations for the 'best' pizza east of Fifth Avenue; sadly a Monday night-- all were closed. All except for Vinny's on First Avenue between 13-14th. Awesomely good pizza, with other supper items on a blackboard menu and yes, readers, Caramel Apple Pie baked nearby. Talk about slow food! So now Vinny's is on my latest good food for residents and out of towners!

Oh did I mention the Greemarket? The Union Square Greenmarket is a place to be. While writing this i learned the Greemarket is sponsoring textile recycling Mondays through December 2007. Well this site is about a resident's guide to NYC, but textile recycling is dear to my heart and one of the more creative, entrepreneurial and satisfying social good projects using recycled textiles is evidenced at Endless Possibilities in Manteo, North Carolina.

The Bowery

Just north of Little Italy is the area known as The Bowery

Visitor are often surprised that there are things to do, hear and see in the area-- residents know better. New Yorkers with a long memory recall that back in the 1800's the Bowery was a large entertainment district. It fell into hard times and became known as skid row and that reputation held for a long time. Nowadays much of the Bowery is still low-rent, but below Houston Street, the Bowery is home to many restaurants, lighting supply houses along with a mixture of old tenements, and million dollar condos sitting side-by-side. The Bowery Savings Bank building was designed by Sandford White (as was the Rotunda on the Bronx Community College Campus).

The Bowery Poetry Club has a full schedule of readings and events- even a free podcast on the website. http://www.bowerypoetry.com/
The New Museum is also located at 235 Bowery.

The there's the Bowery Mission- what a blast to come to NY and volunteer or donate!