NYC Pocket & Travel Guides

We are moving!!

nycpocket — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 18:12:40 +0000

This blog is moving to another location on the web.

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NYC Pocket Blog

Be sure to keep reading for news, reviews, and highlights of New York City!

NYC Public Library to undergo construction!

nycpocket — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 18:26:51 +0000

New York- The New York City Public Library is to undergo construction starting immediately. The restoration is said to last three years and will improve the overall look of facade, stairs and plaza. According to the Library officials, the project is expected to be finished by 2011; just in time for its centennial. One of their goals is to make the building more attractive in the nighttime and to restore its original marble white grandeur.

The 50 million restoration has already started and passers-by can actually see some parts of the building already covered in netting and the first set of scaffolding is scheduled for its appearance in February of 2008.

The New York City Public Library dates back to about 100 years ago, when a handful of people came up with a vision. With millions and millions of users, building a library was essential to many native New Yorkers. Surprisingly, it is a privately managed, non-for-profit organization that has been helping New Yorkers learn for many years, not to mention; it is a National Public Landmark. All libraries in the New York City Public Library system is free of charge to all.

Stick around until 2011 to witness a transformation of the New York City Public Library, you won’t be disappointed!

somahpersaud

Make me a Song!

nycpocket — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 18:59:14 +0000

“Make Me a Song” is a gorgeous kaleidoscope of about 20 individual songs and some musical vignettes from a number of William Finn’s most well known musicals and from a newer project yet to be produced. It should prove to be an extremely exciting experience for those who are familiar with Finn’s work and a wonderful exposure for others. Furthermore, my own knowledge of William Finn has been greatly enhanced by seeing this show. It is filled with wonderful material about interpersonal relationships, often within families, and love relationships between women and men, and between men and men. It also powerfully examines with the realities of illness, death and loss. The songs in “Make Me a Song” express life experiences that are extremely sophisticated; sometimes surprising; often hilarious; sometimes tragic. Among the themes of the songs presented are: memories of family gatherings long since past along with somber remembrances of so many family members no longer living (“Passover”), one of the most powerfully moving pieces in this show called “Anytime (I Am There)” is a song in which a dying mother tells her children that no matter what they do or where they are, she will always be there with them. While some of the themes may perhaps seem difficult or challenging to potential audience members, I feel that this aspect is what gives Finn’s music so much power. There are some joyful songs too, especially the opening songs, “Make Me a Song,” and “Heart and Music,” which are very upbeat and heartfelt. There are four performers, two men and two women, who are fine singers, and who can also act, which is extremely important for songs such as these, that express a myriad of human experiences and feelings. I do highly recommend it!

By Sae na Park (Korea)

Brooklyn; a historic city!

nycpocket — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 16:57:43 +0000

Think 1636- can you? Well, that was when the Dutch settled in Brooklyn. They were farmers of course and back then, there was only New York (Manhattan) and Brooklyn. The population of Brooklyn was about 397,000 and growing; fast. It was the fastest growing city in the US at the time.

The Brooklyn bridge; the most majestic suspension bridge ever built, confirms a fascination that people all over the world is just mesmerized by its construction. According to Times online, Walt Whitman visited the near-completed bridge in 1878 and said, “the best, most effective medicine my soul has yet partaken – the grandest physical habitat and surroundings of land and water the globe affords – namely, Manhattan island and Brooklyn, which the future shall join in one city – city of superb democracy, amid superb surroundings.“

See it for yourself, take the ‘C’ train to High Street/Brooklyn Bridge. Ascend upon radiance, grace, beauty and style. Now, the Brooklyn Bridge is amongst one of the most noted neighborhoods in New York City. Stop for pizza, or just to take a stroll, you will find that it’s very relaxing, to bask in the beauty of something that is as extraordinary as the Brooklyn Bridge.

Now, the bridge still stands for the same thing it did 200 years ago; the connection between two very prominent cities. Not to mention, that the DUMBO section of Brooklyn (down under the Manhattan bridge overpass) has been named the City’s 90th historic district.

To read more:

Dumbo, Landmark status!

somahpersaud

‘F’ Train Culture

nycpocket — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 17:45:22 +0000

Today I took the bus to the train, as usual. It’s part of my morning routine. When I got to the 179th street station, I was sad to discover that there were “switch problems” at 36th street. Now, what exactly does “switch problem” mean?

It means that there will be hundreds of people waiting at each stop to get on an already packed train.

It means that people will start fighting and pushing and yelling to get to where they want to be.

It also means that you will be late to your destination.

I think that trains are a great invention, but I can’t help but feel like the MTA is not trying its hardest. Let’s face it. There are thousands of people that take the trains each day, and to be honest, I have witnessed some awful things on the train; but that is not enough to make me give up. I don’t even think they disinfect the train poles when they are cleaning. Actually, I know they don’t because there are a number of times that the trains pull into the 179th street station and they clean the floors, take the garbage out, but they don’t wipe down the poles or the seats. I have even seen roaches in the ‘F’ train; disgusting. Think of all the germs that are growing, manifesting, multiplying each day and that is why my friends, germ gel is a good thing to carry with you at all times. For $2 each way from millions of people, I think they can afford to at least wipe the poles at least once a day. I can’t say that I have a solution, because I don’t; but sometimes it really gets frustrating.

Leaving your house on time does not mean that you will get to work on time, especially if you are a native New Yorker.

somahpersaud

12 Tips when visiting NYC!

nycpocket — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 17:23:06 +0000

According to NYC & Company, here are some important things tourists can do while visiting New York City. So, here goes:

Call 311 or 212-NEWYORK for all information about the City.
5th Ave. divides Manhattan into the east and west side.
When getting directions, always ask for the cross streets, it will help you understand NYC and you will reach your destination faster, with less complexity.
In Manhattan, if you walk 20 blocks north or south, you have walked 1 mile.
If the number on the top of the taxicab is lit, it means the cab is available.
It is customary to tip 15-20% to waitstaff, bartenders and taxi drivers.
MetroCards work on both buses and subways, and transfers between trains and buses(only) are free.
Free wireless internet is available at many public parks.
Many businesses, including pharmacies and delis are opened 24 hours.
If there is a huge green ball on top of the subway station, that means that the station is opened 24 hours.
Looking for subway directions? Just visit www.hopstop.com for all your subway directions
Have a question about the lovely NYC? Just ask the locals, go to any information/visitor center in and around NYC or call 311.

somahpersaud

StubHub News

frozen2late — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 15:49:42 +0000

If you are a NY Giants or a NY Jets fan, there will be a quicker & easier way to get tickets to the games next season. The ever-popular, eBay owned, Stubhub.com has teamed up with Ticketmaster to sell NFL tickets. Though prices might be marked up, it will be easier to search for seats.

According to Mashable: “The problem with Ticketmaster is readily apparent when doing a search for NFL tickets. For example, I tried both StubHub and Patriots.com for tickets to this Sunday’s game against the Miami Dolphins, and Ticketmaster (which powers ticket sales for the Patriots) yielded 0 results, while StubHub at the moment has 357 tickets available, all at considerable mark-up to face value.”

-Frozen2late

Explosion @ Fox News, Ave of the America’s

frozen2late — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 21:40:48 +0000

According to Fox News, themselves:

NEW YORK — A small chemical explosion occurred Monday in the corporate headquarters of News Corp., which houses the FOX News Channel, in midtown Manhattan.

The mid-morning incident happened on the building’s 45th floor, which houses mechanical systems, and was reportedly caused by a chemical reaction between two agents.

Three floors were evacuated, but the explosion did not affect the FOX News Channel, which continued to broadcast without incident.

One person was injured, officials said.

Read More Articles:

Queens: a diverse community!!

nycpocket — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 20:48:57 +0000

The county of Queens is one of the original counties in New York City. It was created on November 1st, 1683. Not many people know what to do or where to go in Queens because it’s a fairly huge borough. However, it was literally three times it’s present size and it extended all the way into Nassau and Suffolk. Originally governed by the Dutch, Queens became ultimately “English” when the British took over in 1664. Queens is known for its many neighborhoods, diverse communities and original foods. Some of the neighborhoods you can find are:

Astoria (good food and Hookah/Shisha)
Bay Terrace (visit the Bay Terrace Shopping Mall or go to the movies)
College Point (movies, shopping and more)
Douglaston (just a long stroll in a park might be good enough)
East Elmhurst (diverse foods and much more including the popular Queens Center Mall)
Flushing (good Asian food and home of the annual US Open, Flushing Meadows Corona Park)
Jamaica Estates (known for some of the nicest houses in Queens)
Jamaica Avenue (shopping and more shopping)
Roosevelt Avenue (food and one of the hugest Indian and Mexican communities along with tons of shopping.
…and much more

Here are some events you can attend in and around Queens:

- Kwanzaa Crafts: Adults create African-American traditional crafts
Monday, December 17 at 6:00pm
Queens Library at Flushing
41-17 Main Street at Kissena Boulevard in Rooms A&B
718-661-1223

- A Christmas Carol Holiday Performance
December 21 – December 22
Flushing Town Hall
137-35 Northern Boulevard, Flushing
www.flushingtownhall.org

- Holiday Beaded Ornaments. A Crafts Workshop for Adults
Saturday, December 22 at 3:00pm
Queens Library
Whitestone Branch, 151-10 14 Road
718-767-8010

- Hands-on-History: Winter Holidays
Saturday, December 22 from 1:00pm- 3:00pm
New York City Department of Parks & Recreation
Rufus King Park, 150th Street & Jamaica Avenue
718-206-0545
www.nycgovparks.org

- FINAH MISA KULE: VOICE OF THE KING PRESENTED BY BANDENYA
December 28, 2007, 8pm
Badenya
Community United Methodist Church 81-10 35th Avenue, Jackson Heights
Reservations 888 286 5557
www.badenya.org

- College Roundtable
December 29 from 10-2
Epsilon Pi Omega, the Queens
Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority
144-04 Rockaway Blvd. South Ozone Park
718-479-0279

Along with some awesome things to do, you can also visit some awesome places. For example;

somahpersaud

AM New York: Read All About it!!!

frozen2late — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 19:01:19 +0000

If you are a native New Yorker, you get off the subway or the LIRR and you are handed the daily AM NY paper. Even more helpful is the AM New York website. They cover everything such as: NYC Real Estate, New York City News, Entertainment, etc.

You can subscribe to a number of the topic blogs.

Whether you want to know about:

NYC’s Music Scene

You can also chose to download the daily issue in a .pdf form, if you are trying to stay GREEN.

If you are are visiting New York, you might want to pick up a copy of AM New York for what the natives are doing. There is an excellent roundup of news and events every day.

- Frozen2late

NYC Pocket & Travel Guides

We are moving!!

NYC Public Library to undergo construction!

Make me a Song!

Brooklyn; a historic city!

‘F’ Train Culture

12 Tips when visiting NYC!

StubHub News

Explosion @ Fox News, Ave of the America’s

Queens: a diverse community!!

AM New York: Read All About it!!!

NYC’s Music Scene

New York City subway news

New York Theater blog

Mets beat

….and tons more