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.
 

Pay whatever you wish Fridays from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Whitney Museum of American Art (800-WHITNEY [944-8639]; whitney.org ); Thursdays from 5 to 9 at the Jewish Museum (212-423-3200; thejewishmuseum.org ); and Fridays from 6 to 8 at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum (212-423-3500 ; guggenheim.org ). Pay what you want every day at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and The Cloisters (212-535-7710 ; metmuseum.org ). The Museum of Modern Art (212-708-9400 ; moma.org ), meanwhile, is free from 4 to 8 on Fridays.

Looking for some good outdoor grub that’s a step (or two) up from a hot dog stand, but still wallet friendly? Sashay on over to the Shake Shack! As the name implies, they serve milkshakes and icecream with your choice of toppings. They also serve hot dogs, which you can have plain or dressed to the nines, hamburgers (with or without cheese/single or double), ‘shroom burgers (as in a giant portobello), french fries, soda, wine and beer. You can get a single hamburger, fries, single dipped cone, and a soda for just $10.25–you’ll pay more at a place like Junior’s, even if you don’t get cheesecake. Plus, you can bring your dog, and thus save on that spendy dogsitter! Shake Shack, Madison Avenue and 23rd Street, Madison Square Park, Southeast Corner.