Miscellaneous

Cinema Under the Stars…

Wednesday, July 28th, 2010

New York’s parks and piers offer free films all summer long.

By Nancy Mandell

Nancy MandellThere have been days this summer when the only appealing destination was an air-conditioned movie theater. But even senior ticket holders pay a pretty price for the privilege. So, before the season escapes us, it’s time to consider a different kind of film-going—one that offers a wide variety of films in a variety of scenic venues that share two significant elements in common: The movies are free, and the seats are outdoors, under the stars. From river to river, from uptown to down, New York is truly a summer film festival. Read More…

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In Plain Sight…

Tuesday, July 13th, 2010

…Some of New York’s greatest art and architecture call Lincoln Center their home.

By Nancy Mandell

Here it is, just the beginning of summer according to the calendar—if not the temperature—and you’ve already hit the highlights of the city’s art scene. You’ve seen Picasso prints (through Aug.30) and Pictures by Women (photography on view through next March) at the Museum of Modern Art; and at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Picassos from the museum’s collection (through Aug. 10) as well as the beautifully presented costumes illustrating “The American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity” (through Aug. 15). And there’s still plenty of time to check out the Big Bambu on the Met roof, a mind-boggling living sculpture by Doug and Mike Starn, before it closes on Oct. 31. You may also have covered the Whitney, the Guggenheim, the Jewish Museum and perhaps made it all the way down to the Bowery for the impressive New Museum. Read More…

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Second Acts

Tuesday, June 15th, 2010

Casual dining arrives in style at the Plaza

By Nancy Mandell, guest blogger

The best things in life aren’t always free. But in New York City, they can be surprisingly moderate for the setting. Take the landmark Plaza Hotel, where the Palm Court and the Oak Room still beckon with some of their past splendor. Read More…

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All the Little Nooks and Kindles

Wednesday, May 12th, 2010

By Nancy Mandell, guest blogger

With Mothers’ Day just passed and Fathers’ Day on the horizon, it’s time for the readers among us to prepare for the inevitable. Under the wrapping paper and ribbons may lurk an electronic reading device—the new special occasion gift-of-choice from (self-supporting) kids to book-loving parents.
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It’s Not About the Moving Date

Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009

By Karen C. Altfest

Karen C. AltfestIf you are planning to move from one home to another, you’ll probably be gearing up for moving day. Maybe you’ve interviewed movers, trashed a lot of unnecessary stuff, and given things to your favorite relatives or thrift shop. If you’re selling a home, you probably purged some possessions so potential buyers can comfortably open your closet doors without going into shock.

Now your job seems to be to put things in boxes, label carefully, and look towards getting through moving day. If you’re in New York City, you have to alert the building you are moving out of and the building you are moving into, reserve the freight elevators, and plan to move during the hours those buildings allow. Then you’ll be in your new home, right?  Not so fast.

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Silver Bells: Music for the Holiday Season

Friday, December 18th, 2009

By Nancy Mandell, guest blogger

Nancy MandellWhen it comes to the holidays, New York is alive with the sound of music—a great deal of it free of charge!  Talent ranges from music students and aspiring artists to well-known professionals performing in a variety of venues from churches to concert halls. While recently searching the usual Internet sources for highlights of the holiday season, we came across a Website called Club freeTime that, frankly, seems to have all the answers. (The phone number is 212-545-8900, but don’t even try; their voicemail box is full and according to the message, they prefer emails to contact@clubfreetime.com.)

Apparently it took the enthusiasm of  a Muscovite named Natella Vaidman to realize the need to aggregate the thousands of free events—from walking tours to theatre tickets—that make retiring (and living) in the city such a cultural treat. Read More…

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