New York City Affordable Places

and biking. . . walking. . . rollerblading. . .

Have you ever stood in the cross walk around rush hour, steps away from being smooshed by an angry cab driver, coughing from the fumes of exhaust pipes everywhere and wished for a moment in our lovely city without the honking, screetching headache that is the traffic of New York, just wide open streets to play and run amuck?

Wish granted m’dear! It’s true! The Department of Transportation has created Summer Streets. Three Saturdays in August where Park Ave and it’s surrounding streets from Brooklyn Bridge to Central Park will be closed off to any traffic with more horsepower than a skateboard.

Feel free to walk, run, skip, bike, or attend the many fabulous events scheduled. You can learn to ride a bike with other grown ups who never have (don’t be scurred!), feel the burn at one of the many crunch gym fitness classes- right on the asphalt, or stroll along to the sounds of an improptu musical performance. The activities are quite unique, and very New York, reflecting the rich culture that we so often take for granted in our beloved city.

Better yet- get involved! The city still needs volunteers to help patrol, marshall and keep things running smoothly.

Click here to sign up! http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/summerstreets/html/involved/volunteer.shtml

See ya in the streets!

Friday was my intern Linsey’s last day! (Tear, tear!)

She was quite an untraditional intern, in that she was older than I was, and much more established in public relations in London. Linsey asked to work with us to gain different experiences- she was always interested in editorial- while her gorgeous boyfriend practiced law with his firm in Manhattan for the summer.

I never tired of asking her of the differences between ours and English culture. The accent, which I’m still terrible at imitating,  never ceases to make me giggle and we crack up over how our language barrier revolves around the same language.

So for her final day in my office, I could think of nowhere better to bring her but Tea & Sympathy on Greenwich St.

The only British tea shop in Manhattan (or that I know of. . . . anyone hear of another?) is too cute and cozy to pass up. “Proper” tea is served in adorable little pots and the aroma of authentic English treats and meals will have your mouth watering.

For $50, you can order tea for two which includes a three-tiered tray packed with delish finger sandwiches, scones served with clotted cream and jam (which Linsey pronouced as “scuns”), fat slices of yummy cakes, and of course, your choice of tea. Linsey cooly orded Earl Grey (of course!) and chuckled about how American of me it was to select peach.

Don’t forget to slip into the Brit shop next store for crisps, candies, and other goodies imported straight from  across the pond and consider getting involved in the fight for a Little Britain.

 For directions and info check out teaandsympathynewyork.com

 Cheers!

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.