Oh, what a week, gang. What a week (and, yes, I realize it's ...Tuesday). Working in Greenwich Village today with my friend Aude. We're in this swank apartment. She's a freelance documentary producer editing some tape. I'm sitting here scouring the events pages.
And, I just heard of this *free event I had to tell you about if you like arts journalism:
The Entertainment Beat: Keeping it Real will have a star-studded panel of editors from New York, Time Out New York, Entertainment Weekly, and The New Yorker talk about all that's good and bad about covering the arts.
Where: Hunter College: E. 69th St. at Lexington Avenue
When: Feb 28: 6:30pm-8:30pm; Free Call 212-686-5005
So, yes, these stylish digs.
Let's see, can you tell if the occupant of this apartment is male or female?
* Foosball table
* Three computers
* Enormous red, black, gold "signed" print of famed boxer Muhammad Ali
* Mountain bike protruding from the wall
* A framed ... and "signed"... SF 49ers jersey on the wall
* Two electric hot dog makers with a nob reading well-done, medium, rare
* Black leather couch
* Two ultra mod lighting fixtures
* Subscription magazines Inc. and Wired on the coffee table
* The coolest shower curtain I've ever seen -- it's clear plastic and you can put photos in it
* "Signed" Lakers jersey reading: To AB: All the best from a #32 whoever that is
Very astute. Right you are: Male's apartment. Bachelor Pad, that is.
So, I'm laptop hopping until my brand new keys arrive in T-minus four days. Always interesting to spice up the ole day-to-day.
Yesterday, I worked in Williamsburg. If you're ever out there and looking or a chill place to dine, check out Fada for excellent and affordable French bistro fare. The candlelight reflects nicely off the glassware and rhythmic Middle Eastern music sets an exotic backdrop to the dinner convo-- highly recommended. Try the Poulet Roti: Roasted chicken and fries ($14) or the Onglet: Grilled hanger steak with blue sauce and baked potato stuffed with mushroom flan ($17). Refreshingly satisfying. Tip: Entree portions are large enough to share with a friend.
PS. So, I'm going on this blind date ... Friday. The guy lives in the hood (he's a friend's friend from work) just a few blocks over from me. We're going to Tabla for dinner. I'll keep you posted.
Well, got to run for now. See you at Hunter College tomorrow night.
Your Girl About Town
2/27/2007
2/23/2007
The Day Groceries Got Fun Again
I used to buy food at Gristedes. It's on my block. And sometimes, I am lazy. I'd pop in for a loaf of this, a jug of that.
That was then.
Before I discovered Food Emporium on Madison.
It's a walk, sure, but well worth the pearls of sweat.
Why?
Because it's much, much better.
Last night, the ground beef at G, the last two packages on the shelf, were brown. No hint of red or even pink remained. Just a mangy unappetizing, unhealthy brown.
They sell turkey legs but not sushi. It's overpriced. It's understocked. And, the place, from the food to the floors just looks shabby.
Have you ever noticed how many labels crowd the shelves? So many cram in there that the label on a shelf rarely matches the product just above it. I started searching out products (bread and chips) with price stickers on them. At least then I knew what I was spending. I had tired fast of the 'try and sync the price tag to the product' game. A game in which you may find a match, but, chances are you'd waste five minutes and not.
One lady working the register was nice to point out that a bag of chips I had placed on the conveyor belt had a big rip up its side. I thanked her and ran to grab another bag.
I got home to realize I forgot something. Back at G, I saw that same bag of tortilla chips -- with the rip straight up the side -- right back on the shelf where I had found it originally.
And there was that day I got home and opened a carton of eggs to find half of them broken. I went back to exchange the eggs. On finding a replacement carton, I saw that multiple cartons had broken eggs and brought a few of them up to the front to let them know. Foolish, I was.
Sure enough, next day, there were those pink Styrofoam egg cartons, rife with cracked eggs, back on the shelf -- waiting for someone who might not live nearby to pick them up and buy them.
And yet, I kept going back. It was there. It was open. I was hungry. It would do.
Enter Food Emporium.
Walk into a whole new world. Fresh. Expansive. Colorful. With variety to boot.
I was certain that with all FE had going for it, prices would be higher.
Guess what? They weren't. In fact, my staples were cheaper there. (including OJ)
And the meat section was leaps and bounds over G. Stocked with raw meat that was red.
When I got to the register, the woman working told me about the discount card and gave me an application. Since I didn't yet have one, she used hers to knock two bucks off my fifteen dollar purchase.
I smiled. I had been converted to a loyal FE customer.
Grocery shopping had become ... fun again.
I bought the good spaghetti sauce. Two jars. On sale.
There would be no going back to grimy grocery store aisles.
But, don't take my word. Check out FE for yourself: 1211 Madison at E. 87th
I may even go grocery shopping leisurely --on a Sunday or something this week.
Happy Weekend.
YGAT
That was then.
Before I discovered Food Emporium on Madison.
It's a walk, sure, but well worth the pearls of sweat.
Why?
Because it's much, much better.
Last night, the ground beef at G, the last two packages on the shelf, were brown. No hint of red or even pink remained. Just a mangy unappetizing, unhealthy brown.
They sell turkey legs but not sushi. It's overpriced. It's understocked. And, the place, from the food to the floors just looks shabby.
Have you ever noticed how many labels crowd the shelves? So many cram in there that the label on a shelf rarely matches the product just above it. I started searching out products (bread and chips) with price stickers on them. At least then I knew what I was spending. I had tired fast of the 'try and sync the price tag to the product' game. A game in which you may find a match, but, chances are you'd waste five minutes and not.
One lady working the register was nice to point out that a bag of chips I had placed on the conveyor belt had a big rip up its side. I thanked her and ran to grab another bag.
I got home to realize I forgot something. Back at G, I saw that same bag of tortilla chips -- with the rip straight up the side -- right back on the shelf where I had found it originally.
And there was that day I got home and opened a carton of eggs to find half of them broken. I went back to exchange the eggs. On finding a replacement carton, I saw that multiple cartons had broken eggs and brought a few of them up to the front to let them know. Foolish, I was.
Sure enough, next day, there were those pink Styrofoam egg cartons, rife with cracked eggs, back on the shelf -- waiting for someone who might not live nearby to pick them up and buy them.
And yet, I kept going back. It was there. It was open. I was hungry. It would do.
Enter Food Emporium.
Walk into a whole new world. Fresh. Expansive. Colorful. With variety to boot.
I was certain that with all FE had going for it, prices would be higher.
Guess what? They weren't. In fact, my staples were cheaper there. (including OJ)
And the meat section was leaps and bounds over G. Stocked with raw meat that was red.
When I got to the register, the woman working told me about the discount card and gave me an application. Since I didn't yet have one, she used hers to knock two bucks off my fifteen dollar purchase.
I smiled. I had been converted to a loyal FE customer.
Grocery shopping had become ... fun again.
I bought the good spaghetti sauce. Two jars. On sale.
There would be no going back to grimy grocery store aisles.
But, don't take my word. Check out FE for yourself: 1211 Madison at E. 87th
I may even go grocery shopping leisurely --on a Sunday or something this week.
Happy Weekend.
YGAT
2/22/2007
And for the Libertines
So there we were at UNValentine's Potluck at Beth's place.
And what character that place had.
It was on the West Side. But even still, it was pretty spectacular.
Ascending the steps of the sandy brownstone and crossing the threshold of the building felt much like entering the Clue Mansion. Worn oriental carpeting covered the floors. Light fixtures looking like candle lanterns poked from the walls emitting a low, orange parlor-esque lighting. The wallpaper was tactile -- velvety flourishes or silky strips. The thick banister was made of dark, aged wood. Paintings hung.
And, that was just the building. The apartment had a brick fireplace. 12 ft ceilings. hardwood floors. And....windows! Wow. Where'd she find it? From Craig. What was the catch? It's month-to-month (hearing that quelled my studio envy).
E2 made a Korean Salad. The recipe, which called for no less than an entire cup of sugar (egads!), had been emailed to him earlier in the day with a subject line reading "Hi Son."
VG shredded a brick-thick block of cheese with acumen.
I mixed up some hummus from a box, which unfortunately tasted like the powder and cardboard from which it came.
B Dub made a delectable chicken dish covered in melted cheese and asparagus, and -- oh yes she did -- a ginormous bowl of homemade mashed potatoes, made with whole milk and real butter.
TR regaled us with tales of her long-distance love affair.
So, over the course of conversation, the topic of naked parties arose. Seems at some of the nation's finest institutions of higher learning, these naked parties are quite commonplace (reminded me of the Talk of the Town piece I read years ago in The New Yorker about the Chicken and Porn Club at Yale -- did you read that one? Apparently, students would gather to eat fried chicken and watch porn together for fun).
Of course, I was intrigued. I remembered toga parties. And, frat parties. And, costume parties. And, 80s parties. But, I couldn't say that I had ever been to a full-on naked party.
So, I started asking questions. Well, did all the people at the naked party know each other? How did it work? Who hosted? Was it mostly men? Was it one big orgy? Was it hush-hush who got invited?
And, I got some answers. It wasn't about physical contact, said my friend. And, there really wasn't dancing because, well, that could get awkward. It was about being comfortable in your own skin and with who you are even if you aren't some celeb with fabulous ripped abs. You know, just "hanging out" with your comrades(he he he). Most people don't know each other because as my friends put it, "that could get weird." And, typically, as many women as men arrived.
I later found this Jan 2007 NY Times article about the secret society The Pundits (dating back to 1884) that hosts the parties.
So, I was telling my new French friend Cedric about the naked party idea last night at Pastis. A few of us went there for a cheesesteak sandwich and pommes frites after the party for his wine label Pur Rose and Pur Pearl.
"Would you come to a naked party, Cedge?" I asked, after our other friend at the table flat-out refused, saying, "We all know each other. That would be odd."
Cedge is French. I was sure he'd be down with the whole nudity, naturalist thing.
Well, he said, I might go, but you would have to call it the "Libertine" party. We could serve Pur Rose and Pur Pearl, he said.
Mais Oui.
And, so there you have it. After Music Night, there can be libations for the libertines who are emboldened enough to be comfortable with who they are.
We'll talk politics, religion ... the weather.
We just need to get one thing first: Curtains.
I'm not sure our Upper East Side neighbors would dig it. Then again, maybe we should invite 'em! I mean, it's just about being comfortable with who you are, right? No matter what your age.
PS. Here's a *free UES event that looks good for Friday. You'll need to wear clothes:
When: 6:00pm-9:00pm
Where: Cheryl McGinnis Gallery: 1287 Madison Avenue (91st-92nd)
What: Celebrate Women's History Month with six women artists whose work explores Microspace. Gallery Talk and artists' reception with speaker Andrew Ryder, PhD.
See you there!
Your Girl About Town
And what character that place had.
It was on the West Side. But even still, it was pretty spectacular.
Ascending the steps of the sandy brownstone and crossing the threshold of the building felt much like entering the Clue Mansion. Worn oriental carpeting covered the floors. Light fixtures looking like candle lanterns poked from the walls emitting a low, orange parlor-esque lighting. The wallpaper was tactile -- velvety flourishes or silky strips. The thick banister was made of dark, aged wood. Paintings hung.
And, that was just the building. The apartment had a brick fireplace. 12 ft ceilings. hardwood floors. And....windows! Wow. Where'd she find it? From Craig. What was the catch? It's month-to-month (hearing that quelled my studio envy).
E2 made a Korean Salad. The recipe, which called for no less than an entire cup of sugar (egads!), had been emailed to him earlier in the day with a subject line reading "Hi Son."
VG shredded a brick-thick block of cheese with acumen.
I mixed up some hummus from a box, which unfortunately tasted like the powder and cardboard from which it came.
B Dub made a delectable chicken dish covered in melted cheese and asparagus, and -- oh yes she did -- a ginormous bowl of homemade mashed potatoes, made with whole milk and real butter.
TR regaled us with tales of her long-distance love affair.
So, over the course of conversation, the topic of naked parties arose. Seems at some of the nation's finest institutions of higher learning, these naked parties are quite commonplace (reminded me of the Talk of the Town piece I read years ago in The New Yorker about the Chicken and Porn Club at Yale -- did you read that one? Apparently, students would gather to eat fried chicken and watch porn together for fun).
Of course, I was intrigued. I remembered toga parties. And, frat parties. And, costume parties. And, 80s parties. But, I couldn't say that I had ever been to a full-on naked party.
So, I started asking questions. Well, did all the people at the naked party know each other? How did it work? Who hosted? Was it mostly men? Was it one big orgy? Was it hush-hush who got invited?
And, I got some answers. It wasn't about physical contact, said my friend. And, there really wasn't dancing because, well, that could get awkward. It was about being comfortable in your own skin and with who you are even if you aren't some celeb with fabulous ripped abs. You know, just "hanging out" with your comrades(he he he). Most people don't know each other because as my friends put it, "that could get weird." And, typically, as many women as men arrived.
I later found this Jan 2007 NY Times article about the secret society The Pundits (dating back to 1884) that hosts the parties.
So, I was telling my new French friend Cedric about the naked party idea last night at Pastis. A few of us went there for a cheesesteak sandwich and pommes frites after the party for his wine label Pur Rose and Pur Pearl.
"Would you come to a naked party, Cedge?" I asked, after our other friend at the table flat-out refused, saying, "We all know each other. That would be odd."
Cedge is French. I was sure he'd be down with the whole nudity, naturalist thing.
Well, he said, I might go, but you would have to call it the "Libertine" party. We could serve Pur Rose and Pur Pearl, he said.
Mais Oui.
And, so there you have it. After Music Night, there can be libations for the libertines who are emboldened enough to be comfortable with who they are.
We'll talk politics, religion ... the weather.
We just need to get one thing first: Curtains.
I'm not sure our Upper East Side neighbors would dig it. Then again, maybe we should invite 'em! I mean, it's just about being comfortable with who you are, right? No matter what your age.
PS. Here's a *free UES event that looks good for Friday. You'll need to wear clothes:
When: 6:00pm-9:00pm
Where: Cheryl McGinnis Gallery: 1287 Madison Avenue (91st-92nd)
What: Celebrate Women's History Month with six women artists whose work explores Microspace. Gallery Talk and artists' reception with speaker Andrew Ryder, PhD.
See you there!
Your Girl About Town
2/20/2007
And So It Goes
Holllla-day.
Ode to Honest Abe. You were the man. Your holiday falls at the perfect time of year. And such a good fella, you were. Straightforward. Upfront. And that's what this year is all about, Abe.
Felt so rested and relaxed after that holiday. My roommate was away. I luxuriated on the couch and read a book -- one of those nights where you keep reading clear to the back flap and slam the book closed with a sigh. Caught up on a stack of magazines. Stayed up until 5 am cleaning my room. Made a mess for a few days. Fell asleep on the couch watching TV.
Ahhhh.
On Friday, I was elated to finish up a tech project I had been working on. What started out as a two-week assignment ended up as two months. But, who cares? The software manual was complete. The client was satisfied. And, the writer was paid.
You can imagine how I nearly jumped up and down with joy when the check for completion of the project arrived as early as Saturday. On time! No chasing down payment on an invoice.
Incredible, I thought. Brilliant. All those nights staying up until 5 am working on that thing were worth it. I mean who ever thought I would write a software manual? I sure didn't. This was New York at its best. Pushing you beyond what you thought was possible. Setting the bar.
Already, I was planning the "Woo Hoo I'm debt free...Early!" party in my head. Maybe it could be open bar, I mused.
Well, no, no, I hadn't been paid that much.
But here it was that I could go inside, get out my checkbook, and write the check that would close out one of my two credit cards. Shizam. Debt be gone.
Yes! It could be that easy, and that ahead of schedule. Right?
Uh uh uh. You knew that was just a little too breezy, didn't you.
I mean, are things ever really that easy?
So, wouldn't you know that on Friday evening, my cell phone went kaput. I went to unplug the charger and the innards came out with the plug. Dead. All contacts swiped(so if you're wondering why I haven't called you, and you haven't called me, that's why).
I headed over to Verizon on E. 86th St. and bought a phone. I was able to get it for $50 ... when I signed on for an incredibly, ehem, useful two-year contract.
Next up?
Oh yes, it gets better.
My bread-and-butter. My second home-in-a-box. The bearer of my livelihood -- all of it.
My laptop.
It was just then that my laptop burnt to a crisp. Fans going off. Temperature rising. Shut down to blank screen out of nowhere. I swear I saw plumes of smoke coming out of that thing.
Now for a freelancer, that's, well, one heckuva bad day.
Yes, I admit fully that it was my fault. But, still, the timing was ... off.
In December, when I was up late working on something, I spilled two-thirds of an entire glass of orange juice on the keyboard of my laptop.
Sticky, pulpy, sugary orange juice.
I had been quick, but in my late-night grogginess, not quick enough. I turned it over. I shook it. I pressed a towel into the keyboard (whatever you do -- don't ever do that) I put it on its side.
It was off, and it sat off for a day. Brutal. When the keyboard didn't work the next day, I took it to the laptop doctors at Best Buy on E 86th.
My geek guy was fantastic. Honest Abe would have liked him. Told me that all I had to do was buy a $20 keyboard, plug it in, and keep typing.
So that's what I did. It looked a little odd, and was a little cumbersome, but I kept typing. And, it worked.
He told me I was lucky. I nearly hugged this bear of a man. He hadn't ripped me off. And, he made me feel better by telling me about some woman whose toddler spilled oatmeal on the thing causing her to lose the whole HD.
I did feel lucky when a friend sent the tech job my way that same week and the techies who hired me for the project handed me a laptop to work on.
As it does, the luck ran out on this day when I was on the brink of debt breakthrough with the potential to make a massive payment.
Bummer, yes.
But, this is no sob story. It's really a heartwarming friends story.
You know the show. You know the soundtrack. They were really on to something there in that sitcom.
Living in New York City would be hard, albeit boring and lame too, without friends. I'm not talking bar acquaintances here with whom you chat when you run into them occassionally by chance. I'm talking about friends who know you, who you can count on, who make you laugh your lungs out, and who you can be there for.
I'm on my friend Val's laptop writing this now. And, my friend Beth dropped me an IM earlier. Turns out she gets a discount through work on Dell computers. And, there was the string of gmails that had me laughing until my eyes watered today.
So, no, there won't be an early, above-deadline woo hoo debt-free party.
Not this week, at least.
But, good on ya, Mates.
I am so going to be there when you need me.
And, "Ain't it good to know ... ba, ba, ba, ... that you got a friend."
Now, got to run. Senator Schumer is speaking at the New York Press Club tonight. And, it's *free for members. Woo hoo. You know my hankering for a *free event.
Your Girl About Town
Ode to Honest Abe. You were the man. Your holiday falls at the perfect time of year. And such a good fella, you were. Straightforward. Upfront. And that's what this year is all about, Abe.
Felt so rested and relaxed after that holiday. My roommate was away. I luxuriated on the couch and read a book -- one of those nights where you keep reading clear to the back flap and slam the book closed with a sigh. Caught up on a stack of magazines. Stayed up until 5 am cleaning my room. Made a mess for a few days. Fell asleep on the couch watching TV.
Ahhhh.
On Friday, I was elated to finish up a tech project I had been working on. What started out as a two-week assignment ended up as two months. But, who cares? The software manual was complete. The client was satisfied. And, the writer was paid.
You can imagine how I nearly jumped up and down with joy when the check for completion of the project arrived as early as Saturday. On time! No chasing down payment on an invoice.
Incredible, I thought. Brilliant. All those nights staying up until 5 am working on that thing were worth it. I mean who ever thought I would write a software manual? I sure didn't. This was New York at its best. Pushing you beyond what you thought was possible. Setting the bar.
Already, I was planning the "Woo Hoo I'm debt free...Early!" party in my head. Maybe it could be open bar, I mused.
Well, no, no, I hadn't been paid that much.
But here it was that I could go inside, get out my checkbook, and write the check that would close out one of my two credit cards. Shizam. Debt be gone.
Yes! It could be that easy, and that ahead of schedule. Right?
Uh uh uh. You knew that was just a little too breezy, didn't you.
I mean, are things ever really that easy?
So, wouldn't you know that on Friday evening, my cell phone went kaput. I went to unplug the charger and the innards came out with the plug. Dead. All contacts swiped(so if you're wondering why I haven't called you, and you haven't called me, that's why).
I headed over to Verizon on E. 86th St. and bought a phone. I was able to get it for $50 ... when I signed on for an incredibly, ehem, useful two-year contract.
Next up?
Oh yes, it gets better.
My bread-and-butter. My second home-in-a-box. The bearer of my livelihood -- all of it.
My laptop.
It was just then that my laptop burnt to a crisp. Fans going off. Temperature rising. Shut down to blank screen out of nowhere. I swear I saw plumes of smoke coming out of that thing.
Now for a freelancer, that's, well, one heckuva bad day.
Yes, I admit fully that it was my fault. But, still, the timing was ... off.
In December, when I was up late working on something, I spilled two-thirds of an entire glass of orange juice on the keyboard of my laptop.
Sticky, pulpy, sugary orange juice.
I had been quick, but in my late-night grogginess, not quick enough. I turned it over. I shook it. I pressed a towel into the keyboard (whatever you do -- don't ever do that) I put it on its side.
It was off, and it sat off for a day. Brutal. When the keyboard didn't work the next day, I took it to the laptop doctors at Best Buy on E 86th.
My geek guy was fantastic. Honest Abe would have liked him. Told me that all I had to do was buy a $20 keyboard, plug it in, and keep typing.
So that's what I did. It looked a little odd, and was a little cumbersome, but I kept typing. And, it worked.
He told me I was lucky. I nearly hugged this bear of a man. He hadn't ripped me off. And, he made me feel better by telling me about some woman whose toddler spilled oatmeal on the thing causing her to lose the whole HD.
I did feel lucky when a friend sent the tech job my way that same week and the techies who hired me for the project handed me a laptop to work on.
As it does, the luck ran out on this day when I was on the brink of debt breakthrough with the potential to make a massive payment.
Bummer, yes.
But, this is no sob story. It's really a heartwarming friends story.
You know the show. You know the soundtrack. They were really on to something there in that sitcom.
Living in New York City would be hard, albeit boring and lame too, without friends. I'm not talking bar acquaintances here with whom you chat when you run into them occassionally by chance. I'm talking about friends who know you, who you can count on, who make you laugh your lungs out, and who you can be there for.
I'm on my friend Val's laptop writing this now. And, my friend Beth dropped me an IM earlier. Turns out she gets a discount through work on Dell computers. And, there was the string of gmails that had me laughing until my eyes watered today.
So, no, there won't be an early, above-deadline woo hoo debt-free party.
Not this week, at least.
But, good on ya, Mates.
I am so going to be there when you need me.
And, "Ain't it good to know ... ba, ba, ba, ... that you got a friend."
Now, got to run. Senator Schumer is speaking at the New York Press Club tonight. And, it's *free for members. Woo hoo. You know my hankering for a *free event.
Your Girl About Town
2/15/2007
Freedom Friday
fyi, this *free Friday event looks cool.
First, have you registered for Naked at the Met Scavenger Hunt this Saturday at 5:30?
What: "Ways" Performance Book Launch Party
Where: Whitney Museum of American Art: 945 Madison Avenue
When: 7:00pm; Free; Call 212-570-7721
The performance party celebrates "Ways," a series of accidental novels-as-conceptual-art conceived by artist Rita McBride.
More than 50 top artists, curators, and writers from across the globe have contributed a chapter or two to the works.
The lively book banter will be set to the backdrop of music by Discoteca Flaming Star (what a name!), a Berlin-based group. They'll riff on love, consumption, fervor, feminism, belly dancing, and all other things that uncannily collide.
First, have you registered for Naked at the Met Scavenger Hunt this Saturday at 5:30?
What: "Ways" Performance Book Launch Party
Where: Whitney Museum of American Art: 945 Madison Avenue
When: 7:00pm; Free; Call 212-570-7721
The performance party celebrates "Ways," a series of accidental novels-as-conceptual-art conceived by artist Rita McBride.
More than 50 top artists, curators, and writers from across the globe have contributed a chapter or two to the works.
The lively book banter will be set to the backdrop of music by Discoteca Flaming Star (what a name!), a Berlin-based group. They'll riff on love, consumption, fervor, feminism, belly dancing, and all other things that uncannily collide.
See you there!
Your Girl About Town
Got Plans Tonight?
Ok. I am really, realllllly, reallllllllly missing my gym membership these days.
Still paying off those (*&^% credit cards.
Dang it, stupid debt.
I'm beginning to think this is going to be one of the major accomplishments of my life, here.
Well, at least in the top three for this year.
I've decided that at the paying off of each of the two cc's, there will be a party to which you all will be invited. Of course ... at a "Woo Hoo I'm Debt Free!" party, there's no Open Bar.
So, here's the deal, y'all. You can join me in this endeavor. I project the first "Woo Hoo I'm Debt-Free Party" to be in aprox the first week in April (pending arrival of tax greens).
We can do this! We are doing this! It's killing us -- but we're doing this.
Now, on tonight: Ohhhhhhhh, I hope you all get this in time.
Arties take note: There are FIVE (count 'em!) Gallery Openings in our illustrious UES tonight.
Yes, gallery openings where the wine, thoughts, conversations flow freely.
Here are all the juicy details:
1. Where: Lesley Heller: 30 E. 92nd St.
When: 5pm-7pm Call 212-410-6120
Opening reception for a painting exhibition with works by Lucy Fradkin.
2. Where: National Academy Museum: 1083 Fifth Avenue
When: 6pm-8pm Call 212-369-4880
The "High Times, Hard Times: New York Painting 1967-1975" exhibition opens this night and explores a time of radical new directions in abstract painting. Artists include Alan Shields, Joan Snyder, Pat Steir, Richard Tuttle and others.
3.Where: Neuhoff Gallery: 41 E 57th St., 4th flr
When: 6pm-8pm Call 212-838-1122
Opening reception for Greg Lauren.
4. Where: Maxwell Davidson Gallery: 724 Fifth Avenue, 4th flr
When: 6pm-8pm Call 212-759-7555
Opening reception for Megan Olson: "Urban Nature" - New Paintings, Drawings & Installation.
5. Where: Galerie Mourlot: 16 E. 79th St. (Madison-Fifth)
When: 6:00pm-9:00pm Call 781-438-3090
Benefit Exhibition showing Madhu Chanamolu's striking black-and-white photographs.
* YGAT's pick. If you hit one, make it this one.
And, as if that's not enough to keep you busy, check out this Random House Book Party for all you Alpha felines out there.
The amBITCHous Book Launch Party
And ... the launch of the new cocktail "The amBITCH-ini"
When: 7-ish to 9:30-ish
Where: The home of Author Debra Condren and her husband Steve Hertz
455 Central Park West, 22-C (105 and CPW) Crosstreets: 105th and CPW. Building entrance is on 105th
If you're going, an RSVP here will help Debra plan: debra@ambitchous.com
It's the unveiling of the new Debra Condren, PhD, book "amBITCHous"
There will be grub, convo, fabulous women (and the fabulous men who adore them-- Yes, bring and invite the guys, too!) Good, good times with all your publishing buddies.
Now, got to go take in this beautiful snowfall before the slush gets too gray.
YGAT
Still paying off those (*&^% credit cards.
Dang it, stupid debt.
I'm beginning to think this is going to be one of the major accomplishments of my life, here.
Well, at least in the top three for this year.
I've decided that at the paying off of each of the two cc's, there will be a party to which you all will be invited. Of course ... at a "Woo Hoo I'm Debt Free!" party, there's no Open Bar.
So, here's the deal, y'all. You can join me in this endeavor. I project the first "Woo Hoo I'm Debt-Free Party" to be in aprox the first week in April (pending arrival of tax greens).
We can do this! We are doing this! It's killing us -- but we're doing this.
Now, on tonight: Ohhhhhhhh, I hope you all get this in time.
Arties take note: There are FIVE (count 'em!) Gallery Openings in our illustrious UES tonight.
Yes, gallery openings where the wine, thoughts, conversations flow freely.
Here are all the juicy details:
1. Where: Lesley Heller: 30 E. 92nd St.
When: 5pm-7pm Call 212-410-6120
Opening reception for a painting exhibition with works by Lucy Fradkin.
2. Where: National Academy Museum: 1083 Fifth Avenue
When: 6pm-8pm Call 212-369-4880
The "High Times, Hard Times: New York Painting 1967-1975" exhibition opens this night and explores a time of radical new directions in abstract painting. Artists include Alan Shields, Joan Snyder, Pat Steir, Richard Tuttle and others.
3.Where: Neuhoff Gallery: 41 E 57th St., 4th flr
When: 6pm-8pm Call 212-838-1122
Opening reception for Greg Lauren.
4. Where: Maxwell Davidson Gallery: 724 Fifth Avenue, 4th flr
When: 6pm-8pm Call 212-759-7555
Opening reception for Megan Olson: "Urban Nature" - New Paintings, Drawings & Installation.
5. Where: Galerie Mourlot: 16 E. 79th St. (Madison-Fifth)
When: 6:00pm-9:00pm Call 781-438-3090
Benefit Exhibition showing Madhu Chanamolu's striking black-and-white photographs.
* YGAT's pick. If you hit one, make it this one.
And, as if that's not enough to keep you busy, check out this Random House Book Party for all you Alpha felines out there.
The amBITCHous Book Launch Party
And ... the launch of the new cocktail "The amBITCH-ini"
When: 7-ish to 9:30-ish
Where: The home of Author Debra Condren and her husband Steve Hertz
455 Central Park West, 22-C (105 and CPW) Crosstreets: 105th and CPW. Building entrance is on 105th
If you're going, an RSVP here will help Debra plan: debra@ambitchous.com
It's the unveiling of the new Debra Condren, PhD, book "amBITCHous"
There will be grub, convo, fabulous women (and the fabulous men who adore them-- Yes, bring and invite the guys, too!) Good, good times with all your publishing buddies.
Now, got to go take in this beautiful snowfall before the slush gets too gray.
YGAT
2/13/2007
Top Six UNValentine's Picks
If you're single and you Know it clap your hands.
Tap, Tap, Tap
If you're single and you Own it clap your hands.
Tap, Tap, Tap.
And say Yeaaaaah!
Tap, Tap, Tap
If you're single and you Own it clap your hands.
Tap, Tap, Tap.
And say Yeaaaaah!
Ok, none of this woe is me, where's my lucky Valentine sentiment.
Singles, embrace the freedom. The UES is your oyster. No obligations. Restrictions. Responsibilities. And, No settling. Yes, even on V-Day.
So all of you out there lamenting the lack of a true Valentine, Chin Up!
Sure, I know Hallmark makes it tough, what with all the flashing red hearts, doily cut-out paper Valentines, and life-size Cupids glaring at you from storefront windows.
But, romance is so much more than that! It can't be bought. Oh, no. Romance is sly. It goes unmarked -- not highlighted in pink and circled in red -- on the calendar. It doesn't take direction well. It shows up when you least expect it. It's even been known to rear its crimson face and sound off a loud, throbbing lub-dub when you want it least and fight it most.
So, all you UNValentine's Day Loves out there, if you've had luck to find some good friends here who've been there for you rain and shine, who listen to you complain and put up with your cheesy quote reading, who take you as you are, faults and all then here's what I'd suggest:
1. Go. Get some red construction paper and cut them out some paper Valentines.
Yes! Handmade cut-out red hearts. Just buy a 2-cent cookie cutter and trace it on there. Handwritten. Be Mine. Sweetheart. Too Fine. Lub Dub. Heartthrob. True Blue. Hot Attack.
2. Buy a box of sweethearts and maybe a bag of fortune cookies from Chinatown and put 'em in the envelope.
Because the world could use a little more love ... and a lot more laughter.
Sure, you're not in love with your friends, but that doesn't mean you don't love them all the same. Show them. Thank them. Appreciate them. Where would you be without them?
Now, as for UNValentine's festivities. No sitting home gorging a solas on a ginormous box of choco watching cry-your-heart-out chick flicks. Uh, uh, uh. Your Girl won't stand for it. Pick up Time Out New York Feb 8-14: The Dating Issue. And, here, I've done a little research.
UES Single-With-Pride Top Six UNValentine's Day Options:
1. Milonga Your Heart Out! Claro que si. When in doubt, dance til you can dance no more.
En el dia de los enamorados. . . .FEBRERO 14th. . . . Milonga de San Valentin. Singles, get your dancing shoes on and go find a partner to spin you around.
When: 7:00pm-11:00pm; $15
Where: Saint Jean Baptiste Community Center: 184 E. 76th St.
Call: 212-396-2219
2. Jungle Love
Talk wooing and wild animalistic amour with Love Expert and Zoo Director Dr. Dan Wharton. Then mingle with monkeys, tropical birds, Matilda, the zoo's new sloth, and, of course, other animal loving singles over cocktails and Hors d'oeuvres.
When: 6:30pm-9:00pm; $50
Where: Central ParkZoo: Enter at E. 64th St.
Call: 212-439-6527
3. No-Cover Niagara
Singles unite. There's no cover and there's sure to be a full house of other attractive fun-loving unattached city goers such as yourself with whom to chat it up.
When: As soon as you can get there after work
Where: Niagara: 112 Ave. A at 7th St.
Call: 212-420-9517
4. The Brat Pack UNValentine's Potluck
Scour your wardrobe for everything red, grab your homemade Valentine's and chocolate mousse and head over to your friend's place for a co-ed good lovin' potluck dinner party. Now, here's the kicker with this plan...you need to convince one of your friends to host. Throw in a movie for after-feasting entertainment. In this case, eat your heart out on chick flicks and heart shaped cookies!
When: 8:00 pm
Where: Your Friend's Place
Call: Your friend and convince him/her to host
5. Violin Serenade
Ok, it's not quite the same as Romeo belting out his lyric in your honor outside your window, but close your eyes and use your imagination, will ya? Jennifer Koh, who fuses musical intensity with poise, plays a heartfelt program of Janacek, Schubert, and Schumann.
When: 8:00pm; $40
Where: 92nd St. Y: E. 92nd St. on Lexington Avenue
Call: 212-415-5500
6. Denial Option
Pretend it's not V-Day and take in a gallery talk at The Frick with fellow in-denials. Toward the end of his life, Stubbs painted iconic depictions of farm laborers, which prompted recent debate on the artist’s political views. This talk considers the works within the wider context of Stubbs’s political patronage and lifelong affiliations.
When: 6:00 pm; Free with gallery admission ($15 adults, $10 seniors, $5 students)
Where: The Frick Collection: 1 E. 70th St. (Madison-Fifth)
Call: 212-547-0641
2/12/2007
Mark Your Calendar
Ick! Got a touch of the flu. Need some Echinacea to quash the bug.
What: Akshaya Patra Foundation USA
Where: Galerie Mourlot: 16 E. 79th St (Madison & Fifth)
When: Wednesday, Feb. 21, 6pm
Phone: 781-438-3090
Here's an upcoming UES photo event worthy of calendar marking.
What: Akshaya Patra Foundation USA
Where: Galerie Mourlot: 16 E. 79th St (Madison & Fifth)
When: Wednesday, Feb. 21, 6pm
Phone: 781-438-3090
This special reception for The Madhu Chanamolu Photography Exhibit will benefit The Akshaya Patra Foundation, a non-profit organization ensuring that no child in India be denied nutritious food, education, or health care.
Akshaya Patra, the largest NGO school-feeding program in the world, feeds more than 535,000 underprivileged children ... a day.
To RSVP e-mail: tapf.info@akshayapatraua.org
If you can't make the Akshaya Patra Party, no sweat.
You can still pop into the Opening Reception for the photo exhibit.
That's this Thursday, Feb 15th, 6pm-9pm.
See you there?
Your Girl About Town
Lend a Hand
First, a big wave to my Niece- or Nephew-To-Be set to make a Florida debut.
Woo Hoo Baby Andrews! Hi! Hello! Hi! ... Hi!
Can't wait to meet you!
Oh, and I can tell we'll be tight: If all goes according to delivery date, Baby A and I will share Sept. 6 as a birthday. That makes me automatic *Favorite Aunt ... right? We'll really get each other, sharing all Virgo attributes and vices.
To think that Older Bro and Sis-In-Law once said they weren't having kids.
Pshaw!
And, kudos to Max and Micah. What an impressive showing of some 150 people at the Benefit Photo Exhibition on Saturday. Those two guys raised $3,000 for the children of India. Way to go!
Now, it could be Your turn to give a little back -- not your greenback, but your time.
Got any free time on weekdays?
Search and Care, since its 1972 inception, has helped more than 5,000 residents of the Yorkville and Carnegie Hill neighborhoods with free companionship and care to the elderly.
With a mighty tiny budget, they make zip 10128 a brighter place for older people.
But, they can't do it alone ... they are calling all volunteers.
YOU:
Are friendly
Find folks with trousers up to their chins endearing
Like being called "Sonny" or "My Dear"
Make a good escort
Would feel good getting Betty or George to the Doc on time
Interested? Available? Curious?
Call Robin Strashun: 212-289-5300 x203
E-mail her: strashun@searchandcare.orgwww.searchandcare.com
Drop in to S& C: 1844 Second Avenue
Your Girl About Town
Woo Hoo Baby Andrews! Hi! Hello! Hi! ... Hi!
Can't wait to meet you!
Oh, and I can tell we'll be tight: If all goes according to delivery date, Baby A and I will share Sept. 6 as a birthday. That makes me automatic *Favorite Aunt ... right? We'll really get each other, sharing all Virgo attributes and vices.
To think that Older Bro and Sis-In-Law once said they weren't having kids.
Pshaw!
And, kudos to Max and Micah. What an impressive showing of some 150 people at the Benefit Photo Exhibition on Saturday. Those two guys raised $3,000 for the children of India. Way to go!
Now, it could be Your turn to give a little back -- not your greenback, but your time.
Got any free time on weekdays?
Search and Care, since its 1972 inception, has helped more than 5,000 residents of the Yorkville and Carnegie Hill neighborhoods with free companionship and care to the elderly.
With a mighty tiny budget, they make zip 10128 a brighter place for older people.
But, they can't do it alone ... they are calling all volunteers.
YOU:
Are friendly
Find folks with trousers up to their chins endearing
Like being called "Sonny" or "My Dear"
Make a good escort
Would feel good getting Betty or George to the Doc on time
Interested? Available? Curious?
Call Robin Strashun: 212-289-5300 x203
E-mail her: strashun@searchandcare.orgwww.searchandcare.com
Drop in to S& C: 1844 Second Avenue
Your Girl About Town
2/09/2007
Weekend Warrior
What's the buzz? Tell me whatsahappenin.
What's the buzz? Tell me whatsahappenin.
Can you name the musical of that tune, which first exploded on stage in 1971?
Tomorrow night, check out this Benefit Photo Exhibition by up-and-coming New York photojournalist Micah Rubin, a friend I met at the good ole S.I. Newhouse School at Syracuse University. (Go Orange!)
What: Survivor Art: Murals by Survivors of India's December '04 Tsunami
Where: Bamboo 52: 344 W. 52nd St. (8th-9th)
When: February 10, 6:30pm-9:00pm
On public display for the first time and available for purchase, see original drawings by India's Tsunami survivors. When visiting the natural disaster-ravished lands with a comrade, the two distributed crayons and paper to the traumatized youth they encountered. See the drawings that resulted as you sip on a sake-inspired cocktail. *All proceeds will be donated to the American India Foundation.
And, if you had your heart set on The Secrets of Grand Central Station Hunt tomorrow, sorry, you're outta luck. Or so I just discovered when I went to register. The next three (!) NYC Scavenger Hunts are sold out. Hot, hot, hot.
This is why I'm telling you Now about the upcoming Post-Valentine's Day Hunt:
Instead of the standard choco hearts and fancy-schmancy dinner, get your sweetheart a ticket to The Naked at the Met Scavenger Hunt instead. Don't worry: It's the art that's nude, not you. You've never studied the Met like this before! Ravage the museum halls with your team in a lighthearted romp to uncover sultry paintings, a bronzed Adonis, Cupid at his most scandalous, and more!Once you register, add up to five players to make a team of six. Solo scavengers welcome! Register and join a team on arrival.
When: Sat, February 17, 5:30pm-8:00pm (*A few spaces left for Feb 1o, 2-4:30)
Where: Metropolitan Museum: 1000 Fifth Avenue at E. 82nd St.
Meet at: The left side of the Great Hall near Group Sales (You'll spot Watson Adventurists wearing burgundy caps) *Bring a printout of your e-mail confirmation to enter the museum.
How Much: $38
Register Now HERE
That's all I've got to report for the moment.
See you all tomorrow at the photo exhibit.
Your Girl About Town
What's the buzz? Tell me whatsahappenin.
Can you name the musical of that tune, which first exploded on stage in 1971?
Tomorrow night, check out this Benefit Photo Exhibition by up-and-coming New York photojournalist Micah Rubin, a friend I met at the good ole S.I. Newhouse School at Syracuse University. (Go Orange!)
What: Survivor Art: Murals by Survivors of India's December '04 Tsunami
Where: Bamboo 52: 344 W. 52nd St. (8th-9th)
When: February 10, 6:30pm-9:00pm
On public display for the first time and available for purchase, see original drawings by India's Tsunami survivors. When visiting the natural disaster-ravished lands with a comrade, the two distributed crayons and paper to the traumatized youth they encountered. See the drawings that resulted as you sip on a sake-inspired cocktail. *All proceeds will be donated to the American India Foundation.
And, if you had your heart set on The Secrets of Grand Central Station Hunt tomorrow, sorry, you're outta luck. Or so I just discovered when I went to register. The next three (!) NYC Scavenger Hunts are sold out. Hot, hot, hot.
This is why I'm telling you Now about the upcoming Post-Valentine's Day Hunt:
Instead of the standard choco hearts and fancy-schmancy dinner, get your sweetheart a ticket to The Naked at the Met Scavenger Hunt instead. Don't worry: It's the art that's nude, not you. You've never studied the Met like this before! Ravage the museum halls with your team in a lighthearted romp to uncover sultry paintings, a bronzed Adonis, Cupid at his most scandalous, and more!Once you register, add up to five players to make a team of six. Solo scavengers welcome! Register and join a team on arrival.
When: Sat, February 17, 5:30pm-8:00pm (*A few spaces left for Feb 1o, 2-4:30)
Where: Metropolitan Museum: 1000 Fifth Avenue at E. 82nd St.
Meet at: The left side of the Great Hall near Group Sales (You'll spot Watson Adventurists wearing burgundy caps) *Bring a printout of your e-mail confirmation to enter the museum.
How Much: $38
Register Now HERE
That's all I've got to report for the moment.
See you all tomorrow at the photo exhibit.
Your Girl About Town
2/07/2007
Eat Your Art Out Thurs
Art Alert: This Thursday is brimming with UES Gallery Openings. A threesome of painting shows -- which for uptown is a veritable ton. Come out all you art lovers for some canvas gazing, schmoozing, and free boozing. Plus, shake hands with the artists themselves.
All opening receptions run 6pm-8pm
Hop off the 4,5,6 at E. 59th St. and hit all three on your way home.
1. Hoorn-Ashby Gallery: 766 Madison Avenue (E. 65-66), 2nd floor
New paintings by Polly McCaffrey *YGAT's pick. If you hit just one, hit this!
2. La Galleria: Italian Cultural Institute: 686 Park Ave (E. 68-69)
Maria Luisa Tadei: Eternity, an installation & exhibition of art by the young Italian artist, inspired by her perception of polar opposites such as life & death, organic versus technological
3. Jeannie Freilich Fine Art: Near Madison Avenue, 22 E. 72nd Street, 4th Floor
Ludwig & I, New Paintings by Jess Von Der Ahe
AND, if you can handle it, for **Freebie Wednesday, hear celebrated author Colson Whitehead spill the details on his approach to writing and the secrets of his success.
Where: Marymount Manhattan College: Regina Peruggi Room: 221 E. 71st St. (Second-Third)
When: 7:30pm
How much: *FREE but call 212-774-0780 to reserve
See? I'm learning a thing or two here. You don't have to sacrifice your social life to stomp on those plastic demons!
See you All there
YGAT
All opening receptions run 6pm-8pm
Hop off the 4,5,6 at E. 59th St. and hit all three on your way home.
1. Hoorn-Ashby Gallery: 766 Madison Avenue (E. 65-66), 2nd floor
New paintings by Polly McCaffrey *YGAT's pick. If you hit just one, hit this!
2. La Galleria: Italian Cultural Institute: 686 Park Ave (E. 68-69)
Maria Luisa Tadei: Eternity, an installation & exhibition of art by the young Italian artist, inspired by her perception of polar opposites such as life & death, organic versus technological
3. Jeannie Freilich Fine Art: Near Madison Avenue, 22 E. 72nd Street, 4th Floor
Ludwig & I, New Paintings by Jess Von Der Ahe
AND, if you can handle it, for **Freebie Wednesday, hear celebrated author Colson Whitehead spill the details on his approach to writing and the secrets of his success.
Where: Marymount Manhattan College: Regina Peruggi Room: 221 E. 71st St. (Second-Third)
When: 7:30pm
How much: *FREE but call 212-774-0780 to reserve
See? I'm learning a thing or two here. You don't have to sacrifice your social life to stomp on those plastic demons!
See you All there
YGAT
2/05/2007
Another Freebie Event Tonight
This just in: Another meditative Monday *freebie event worth checking out.
Starts early, but if you're nearby and can swing it, here's all you need to know:
Jewish Evensong
In 1930 Temple Emanu-El of San Francisco, one of America’s most renowned Reform synagogues, commissioned the Swiss composer Ernest Bloch to write an entire setting of the Sabbath service. The resulting Ahavodath Hakodesh (Sacred Service), a unified work intended to enhance prayer in the Jewish liturgy and capture spiritual unity. St. Bartholomew’s Choir will sing portions of this beautiful work.
Where: St. Bartholomew's Church: 109 E. 50th St. (Park -Lexington)
When: 5:00pm
*FREE Call 212-378-0248
More Info
Now, it's a toss up. Which freebie event to attend tonight?
YGAT
Starts early, but if you're nearby and can swing it, here's all you need to know:
Jewish Evensong
In 1930 Temple Emanu-El of San Francisco, one of America’s most renowned Reform synagogues, commissioned the Swiss composer Ernest Bloch to write an entire setting of the Sabbath service. The resulting Ahavodath Hakodesh (Sacred Service), a unified work intended to enhance prayer in the Jewish liturgy and capture spiritual unity. St. Bartholomew’s Choir will sing portions of this beautiful work.
Where: St. Bartholomew's Church: 109 E. 50th St. (Park -Lexington)
When: 5:00pm
*FREE Call 212-378-0248
More Info
Now, it's a toss up. Which freebie event to attend tonight?
YGAT
UES En Force
Despite the rain and chill, New York City nightlife was alive and well on Friday. It all began for us at the Guggenheim Museum.
From 9p.m. on, a line stretched around the corner of E. 89th and Fifth and extended back to Madison. An endless string of yellow cabs moved through the street. It was First Friday at the Guggenheim and Upper East Siders were out in full force.
It's quite la scene internationale. Nearly every person we met had some sort of foreign accent. There were British people and French people and I even met a group of three from Basque Country. Said Tibo, 25, from Biarritz, a town on the Bay of Biscay, on the Atlantic coast in southwestern France: "C'est cool. This is a good place. Good people," of his first First Friday experience.
From 9p.m. on, a line stretched around the corner of E. 89th and Fifth and extended back to Madison. An endless string of yellow cabs moved through the street. It was First Friday at the Guggenheim and Upper East Siders were out in full force.
It's quite la scene internationale. Nearly every person we met had some sort of foreign accent. There were British people and French people and I even met a group of three from Basque Country. Said Tibo, 25, from Biarritz, a town on the Bay of Biscay, on the Atlantic coast in southwestern France: "C'est cool. This is a good place. Good people," of his first First Friday experience.
We made a new French friend, Cedric, who was there with a once banking colleague.
Cedric left banking to become a full-fledged entrepreneur. He's on the verge of launching his own wine labels PurRose and PurPearl. Turns out he also made the jacket he is wearing.
TIPS ON FIRST FRIDAY: Make a plan to avoid having your night be a series of long lines -- from entrance to coat check to bathroom to food and drink. The coat check is straight back, to the left. There's a line. Empty your bladder before you go. While there's a bathroom on each floor, each is a one-staller. If you must go, expect a line. To purchase food and drinks, get in line to the right of the entrance to buy $3 tickets (food items cost about $6; beer/wine $6 a glass; soda/water $3 a glass: cash only) Wear your armor and to prepare for a shoulder-to-shoulder crowd with all that entails (aka, consider wearing dark colors and sticking to white wine because it's not unlikely someone may accidentally bump into you).
Cedric is one of these guys who snaps his fingers to open doors. He's exceedingly friendly and emits a genuine sense of joi de vivre. We accompanied him to The Pink Elephant in Chelsea where ALL of New York seemed to be out sipping champagne.
There had been a red velvet rope. And a snaking line. One of these high-end, exclusive clubs where men not only wear suits, but suits with silk handkerchiefs poking out from the breast pocket and women wear svelte leopard-skin, wrap-around dresses and fur coats. But, we walked right in ... funny that the bouncer was wearing one of Cedric's jackets.
Then, we went to Cain where it looked like Carnival time with all the balloons, drummers, and dancing men and women.
My friend Jen and I were quite sure that we spotted the King of Monaco. Or something.
But turns out he just looked like the King of Monaco. Or something.
It was quite an unforgettable New York night. We don't frequent red-velvet row, and I can't say we've been converted. But, it was something new and different for us. An adventure that began and ended right here on the Upper East Side.
Now, for some upcoming *FREE UES events:
Classical Intimacies: Minetti Quartet plays Beethoven, Berg, & Haydn
When: Monday Feb. 5, 8pm
Where: Austrian Cultural Forum: 11 E. 52nd St. (Fifth - Madison)
*FREE but must call to reserve seats: 212-319-5300
Gyrokinetics: Pilates-like practice that awakens the spine
When: Every Tuesday in Feb., 10am-11am
Where: Mind Your Body: 1413 Lexington Avenue (E.92- E.93)
*FREE
**Cedric's Launch Party for PURROSE and PURPEARL Wines
When: Feb. 20, Time TBA. Stay tuned!
Where: Rivington Hotel: 107 Rivington Street
FREE tasting of PURROSE and PURPEARL
See you tonight for some classical music downtime at the Austrian Cultural Forum.
Your Girl About Town
2/02/2007
Veggie Valentines
Valentine's Day is fast approaching. Got dinner reservations?
Two words: Candle 79. 154 E. 79, (Lex - Third)
Like your relationship, it's casual ... in such a sexy way!
It's a Certified Green Restaurant. Voted #1 vegetarian restaurant in Zagat. It appeared in USA Today's feature last week, "Top 10 Healthy Restaurants on the Road" as the New York pick.
Their message: "Visit your local farmer's market, reuse, recycle, eat organic, and know that every little bit makes a difference!" Every do-gooder out there has just got to love this place, and these folks.
Their food: Fresh, organic, vegan, delicious
Here's the prix fix they've got going. But remember, you don't have to do the whole 4-course thing. This year is all about keeping it real, and living within the means.
She can take you as you are, or she can hit the road.
But, on Valentine's Day it won't be so much about the food itself as about rekindling that lovin' feeling with a little one-on-one, eye-gazing, leg-entangled together time.
Better yet. You make the reservations and lay the romance on thick with a surprise. Women love a does-the-research-himself romantified man. And, women love surprises even more.
Ok, Guys, Here's the number: 212-537-7179
And, don't forget the flowers.
Remember: NO RED ROSES. Think: Vibrant Wild Flowers
Your Girl About Town
Shopkeeper Sues
So, I was reading in New York magazine, my fave, that there's an antiques dealer in the UES 'hood who sued four homeless men for loitering about the shop stoop.
Now that sounds like a profitable and worthwhile endeavor, eh?
I'm sure those four homeless guys can pull out the wads of cash from their money clips to make up the $1m among them, no sweat. Because if they had the cash it's not like they would have bought, oh I dunno, shelter, clothes, soap, socks ... food.
http://nymag.com/news/intelligencer/ithappenedlastweek/27003/index.html
But then again you might expect as much from people who make a living selling used items people threw away, otherwise known as junk, and calling them not thrift, but "high-end" antiques.
http://www.nysun.com/article/46814
Thinking about it, there are an increasingly large number of homeless people in the UES. I can think of three "regulars" I pass every day. I'm going to do some digging. Isn't there a homeless shelter I heard about up here?
I read that the four men had been hanging outside Ole Karl Kemp and Associates for more than two years. I wonder if in all that time, over the course of two plus years, any Kemper ever asked any one of the men his name, or circumstance. Not that they were under any obligation to do so, but these are people we're talking about here ... people who happen to be homeless, and hungry. And, in this crazy world, this crazy city we live in, in these crazy times, this could happen to any one of us, including the Kempers. Tragedies, illnesses, crashes and train wrecks happen. And, that's bad Karma, Kemp, not to mention bad form.
On a jollier note, I did see an elderly man bring the bank teller a java and a sweet from the coffee shop today. Ms. Bank Teller at 86th and Third was all smiles. Isn't he a doll, making someone's day like that.
Are you ready for First Friday?
I sure am.
YGAT
Now that sounds like a profitable and worthwhile endeavor, eh?
I'm sure those four homeless guys can pull out the wads of cash from their money clips to make up the $1m among them, no sweat. Because if they had the cash it's not like they would have bought, oh I dunno, shelter, clothes, soap, socks ... food.
http://nymag.com/news/intelligencer/ithappenedlastweek/27003/index.html
But then again you might expect as much from people who make a living selling used items people threw away, otherwise known as junk, and calling them not thrift, but "high-end" antiques.
http://www.nysun.com/article/46814
Thinking about it, there are an increasingly large number of homeless people in the UES. I can think of three "regulars" I pass every day. I'm going to do some digging. Isn't there a homeless shelter I heard about up here?
To be fair, it is less likely that someone will enter a store if the entrance is blocked with cardboard boxes and crumpled up blankets. But, isn't there a better way to make note of the situation and address the causes behind it than a stomp-your-feet law suit?
I read that the four men had been hanging outside Ole Karl Kemp and Associates for more than two years. I wonder if in all that time, over the course of two plus years, any Kemper ever asked any one of the men his name, or circumstance. Not that they were under any obligation to do so, but these are people we're talking about here ... people who happen to be homeless, and hungry. And, in this crazy world, this crazy city we live in, in these crazy times, this could happen to any one of us, including the Kempers. Tragedies, illnesses, crashes and train wrecks happen. And, that's bad Karma, Kemp, not to mention bad form.
On a jollier note, I did see an elderly man bring the bank teller a java and a sweet from the coffee shop today. Ms. Bank Teller at 86th and Third was all smiles. Isn't he a doll, making someone's day like that.
Are you ready for First Friday?
I sure am.
YGAT
2/01/2007
UES Tippage
UES Tips galore today.
Like used books and auction catalogues? Hurry! Grab a bag and head to Lexington Avenue between East 89-90 Streets. The used book store on the right, heading uptown, lost its lease and it's a free-for-all book grab. Two tables, covered in books, all free. Passing by on my way home from the gym tonight I picked up my two books and the tables were toppling over.
And, First Friday is back at the Guggenheim! This is the Upper East Side young, hip post-workweek scene. DJ Ben Butler will shake the museum walls -- and all you dancers in between them.
When: 9pm-1am
How Much: $25 at the door, members free
What: DJ, Dancing, Architecture, New Friends, Old Friends, Cash Bar
*****************
It was one heckuva crazy week for Your Girl. Still standing. Still breathing. Ready for more.
*****************
Travel story: Check
Five reporting assignments: Check (highest number yet -- ooooooo yeah, on fire!)
Profile: Check
Facials Story: Check
Gallery hopping story: Check
Friends from Maryland crash for the weekend: Check
Blogger Reception: Check
One full 10-hour day inserting images for tech guide: Check (yuck, but yeah!)
Edits meeting for tech guide: Check
Drinks at Sortie with my assigning senior reporter: Check
Author Reading: Check
Sunday brunch: Check: New Place "Fetch" on Third Ave. If you like hounds, you'll love it
Two days emailing, calling, chasing payment on freelance invoices: Check
Rent check mailed: Check :)
***********************
Phew! You know how when you first get back from holiday, back to NYC, and you're in slow-mo? It takes a short while to rev up into Gotham gear? Well, slow-mo be gone! I'm pretty sure after this week, I'm back up to speed. Zooming into fast gear.
Tonight was my last night at the gym. Shoooot! It's yoga and bhangra I'll miss most. Of course I went one more time -- to run three miles and say farewell for a few months.
Now, it will get a little tricky coaxing myself into running ... in the frigid cold. But, maybe it will be ehem, exhilarating? Paying off credit cards. Paying off credit cards. Like a mantra it runs through my mind. No, sorry, I can't tonight. Paying off those damn credit cards! I'm liberating myself for good from the debt chains every day, every midnight-oil hour, every dollar.
And, it feels good. It feels damn good. Nothing worth doing ever came easily. And some end results are worth the temporary sacrifice.
Here's looking at you, shining UES faces.
See you at First Friday.
I think we all could use a little break!
Your Girl About Town
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
