Water is good. It may not be as good as a martini or milk shake, but think of how thirsty and dry and dirty we’d all be without it!

To celebrate this fabulous liquid gift from mother nature, the Waterfront Alliance is hosting a City of Water Day from 10am to 4pm on Governors Island. Come on down to eat, drink and party for FREE! Ferry transit will be available all day (also FREE) from Lower Manhattan.

Highlights of the day will include:
• A symbolic and inspirational convergence of kayakers, boaters, sailors and ferry-riders onto Governors Island. New York Waterway and the New York Water Taxi will pick kids from across the city and bring them to the Island for this special day of fun, education and adventure.
• Boat parade of working vessels past and present including the retired fireboat John J. Harvey and the Seaport Museum’s tug W.O. Decker.
• Eco-tours of indigenous bird habitats hosted by NYC Audubon and a Hidden Harbor Tour hosted by the Working Harbor Committee.
• Fishing clinics with I Fish New York.
• Live music by Eric Bibb.
• Lecture on Fuel from Algae by CUNY professor.
• Car free biking. Bring your own wheels or rent.

If you’ve never been to Governors Island, it’s definitely a cool place to visit and the ferry ride alone is awesome with great views of lower Manhattan, the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.

For more info and ferry schedule: www.waterfrontalliance.org (click on City of Water Day link). Ferries run to and from Governor’s Island every half hour all day.

When a coworker suggested slipping out to grab a treat, I thought he meant a diet coke or some M&Ms. Never in my wildest dreams did I expect to find a smorgasbord of decadent desserts parked outside our office door. The Treats Truck is pure heaven on wheels  and never fails to draw a huge crowd of cranky 9-5ers in need of a serious pick-me-up.

Personally I cannot resist something sweet- especially when I’m locked up in an office all the live long day. I know, i know- it’s bikini season, but I would rather stay on the treadmill for hours than skip a yummy snack. I just have to remind myself: it’s all about moderation. But a bite or two can’t really hurt. . . right?!

The menu has all your favorite baked delicacies and a few extra special concoctions in the mix too like Cookie Sandwiches and Mexican Brownies. All of the treats made our mouths water while keeping our wallets full since they run from $.50 to $3.00.

Even better, the truck runs on Compressed Natural Gas, the most fuel effecient gas available today!

To find out when and where you can get your treats, check out TreatsTruck.com.

America sure looks good for being 232 years old- think she’s had some work done?

If you waited for the last possible second (like moi) to plan how you’ll be celebrating the home of the brave this year, fear not. Here are some fool-proof ways to get your fourth on.

Food. . .

. . .Because the Nathan’s hot dog champ can’t be the only one indulging. Celebrate the U.S. and the N.Y. with a good old fashioned chow down. The Great July Fourth Festival is a down-home American birthday party with a global twist. The street fair showcases 600 international food vendors, as well as arts, crafts and merchandise exhibitors like Indonesian Jewelry and Chinese Pottery. The fun ends at 8, just in time watch. . .

Fireworks!

Because what would today be without a little pie in the sky? There are breathtaking views of the Macy’s Fireworks Extravaganza*, which start at 9pm, from all points of the vogue city. The very best are:

Manhattan: Southbound lanes of the FDR drive from 14th to 42nd Street will be open for the public from 7:30pm to 10:00pm.The FDR Drive will actually be closed to vehicular traffic between Houston St. and 63rd St. from 7:00pm until 1:00am. Dancin’ in the street!

Brooklyn/Queens: Great views from Hunter’s Point, Queens, Greenpoint, Brooklyn, and anywhere with an unobstructed view of the East River between 23rd & 42nd Sts.

***Be sure to tune in to 1010 WINS AM to hear the muscial accompaniment

Happy Independance Day New York!!!

GUIDE TO PRIDE 

By now you’ve seen the pretty rainbow flags hanging from every street light and covering awnings of restaurants and bars. It’s no secret- June is Gay Pride month and tomorrow, June 29 is the NYC Pride Parade.

Whether you are a glamorous drag queen in six inch stilettos or a straight-laced (no pun intended!) conserv, going to Pride is witnessing history. For decades people were forced to silence themselves to appease the government, blend in with society, and stay safe. There are still spots on the globe, even places within this country, where people are jailed and beaten just for being who they are. Come celebrate the accomplishments that we as a people have made towards true equality. Drink in the diversity that makes this fabulous vogue city, the colorful town we know and love.

Get inspired at this virtually free extravaganza- as I have for the past ten years- to always strut your feathers, be yourself,  and never let anyone silence you or shut you down.

Here is the run of show:

The Rally

42nd St. & 6th Ave. @ Bryant Park
Sunday, June 22nd, 2008, 2:00 – 6:00 PM

The March

5th Avenue & 52nd St. to Christopher & Greenwich St.
Sunday, June 29th, 2008, Noon – End

Pridefest

Hudson St. between Abingdon Sq. & West 14th St.
Sunday, June 29th, 2008, 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Dance on the Pier

Pier 54, 13th St. @ Hudson River Park
Sunday, June 29th, 2008, 4:00 – 10:30 PM, Fireworks

Rapture on the River

Pier 54, 13th St. @ Hudson River Park
Saturday, June 28th, 2008, 6:00 – 11:00 PM
For more info, click on nycpride.org 
 

*For a stress-free, sweat-proof pride: Dress comfy (flats are a must), drink gallons of H2O and don’t get sauced until the sun goes down.