The Big Apple Thread

[NDX]

I just want to be able to open all my windows. Need fresh air in the house already.

And I pulled a muscle shovelling snow yesterday.

[GunBlade]

You're in Jersey, it don't count.:cmad:
We pretty much share the same weather, unfortunately. :o

It's not my fault. Stop yelling at me! :cmad:

[Abaddon]

It's all your fault!! it's always your fault!!! Just look what you did on 9/11!!:cmad:

[JP]

That's a sweet avvy. :o

[El ASESINO]

Well spring is here

[Abaddon]

That's a sweet avvy. :o

I hope that was directed at me, the New Yorker!:cmad: :o

[Kevin]

Well... grr.

[JP]

We should have a HYPE NY get together thing.


Wait, eh.. forget it. As I find all of you weird and creepy. :cmad:

[Abaddon]

I was just about to say

[JP]

Yeah, but that's only because you're dying to meet me.

[Abaddon]

I just want to collect your scalp. First you, then Sanjay.:heart:

[NDX]

Papaya King has been shut down for 48 (or was it 88, might have heard wrong) violations of roach/vermin infestation and dood contamination.

Joy.

[JP]

Ewww. I love that place.

[Abaddon]

The hot dog place?

[JP]

I just want to collect your scalp. First you, then Sanjay.:heart:


How did I miss this? I bet you're bald. :o

[Abaddon]

No, shuddup!:cmad:

[JP]

:heart::heart:

[El ASESINO]

Gray's Papaya is better

Every time after a concert me and my friends go there for some awsome hotdogs

[NDX]

I'd rather find a diner and have a burger at 1 AM.

[Abaddon]

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r224/Big_Bad_Don/Bison/ManicalBison-1.jpg
HOT DOGS INCARNATE!

[NDX]

That explains the poor choice of hat.

[El ASESINO]

I'd rather find a diner and have a burger at 1 AM.


Nothing beats a good hotdog or burger at 1am.

[Calvin]

****ing sundays, always so hard to find people willing to go out and drink.

[JP]

That building in Harlem collapsed and ruined my commute home. :mad:

[Abaddon]

I''ve been seeing a lot of fire and ambulance vehicles in the Queens area this past week.

[NDX]

Really? I've blocked out Ambukances since they're pretty common in my neighborhood.

[Abaddon]

Just a little strange that they're popping up so often. Must be that time of the year.

[JP]

Mm, I know what you mean.

[Abaddon]

You should. I know what I'm talking about as per usual. :smart+observant::hyper:

[JP]

Oh, of course!

[user123456789]

sup sup

[hey yo its sean]

NYC should change it's name to Liberty City.

[NDX]

****ing rain made it a pain to walk home from a friend's this evening. It wasn't heavy, but it was damn cold and flew under my hood.

[Abaddon]

Anyone here about this Jersey primary thing? Sounds like Hillary getting a leg up on things with Corzine giving her a push.

[JP]

I hate when she's in the news and her face is plastered on every newspaper. :(

[Abaddon]

Her embellished enthusiasm only holds up for a few minutes before it gets awkward and creepy.:csad:

[JP]

:down:(

[Calvin]

I finally found an Arby's in NY. Thank the god.

[Abaddon]

I've seen like 4 of them.

[Calvin]

Where?

[Abaddon]

There's one in Jackson Heights(unless they've changed it since). There's one on Horace Harding near Francis Lewis High school. There's probably one in the city. Can't think of the other one, but it's somewhere probably in Queens. Don't they have a website or something where you can find other locations?:huh:

[Calvin]

I just checked Arby's site, they do have a store locater apparently. The only one showing up for me is the one I found on 33rd street. The others coming up are all in Jersey.

[Abaddon]

dial 411.:o

[NDX]

Let me try this again.

There's one on Metropolitan Avenue right outside Christ The King highschool by the Metro Mall. Been there several times since it's within walking distance (yet I never walked there or even been inside).

[GunBlade]

I love the fact my cellphone area code is 718. :heart:

[JP]

I've never seen an Arby's. :/

[Calvin]

You poor SOB.

[NDX]

Wow. That's just unfortunate. Go out and find one now.

[hey yo its sean]

There's an Arby's in the Manhattan Mall foodcourt on 33rd. **** is expensive though.

[El ASESINO]

I just found out right now what Arby's is

It looks expensive

[NDX]

Look for coupons. Arby's gives out plenty of coupons, or at least I get them. I only go there if I have coupons for buy 1 get 1 free.

[El ASESINO]

I will check it out

Anyone been to the peanut butter and company in the village?

[hey yo its sean]

I just found out right now what Arby's is

It looks expensive

Only in New York. West Coast Arby's gets you 5 reg. roast beef sandwiches for $6. I'd be lucky to get two for that much in NY.

[Calvin]

They periodically do a 5 for 5 Arby's Melt deal. Probably the greatest and most delicious food deal ever made. I'd be willing to kill to make that an all-the-time sorta thing.

Their roast beef sandwiches are pretty good, but I personally never get them knowing that the Melt is so insanely better. Something about the way their cheddar sauce goes with their roast beef makes it a hundred times better than the sum of its parts.

[Abaddon]

I remember going to Arby's once when I was a kid and hating some nasty roast beef crap sandwich. Haven't been since, but the commericals make their stuff look sexy.

[NDX]

I usually get the trukey ruben, unless I'm in the mood for roast beef then get 2 melts.

[Calvin]

I remember going to Arby's once when I was a kid and hating some nasty roast beef crap sandwich. Haven't been since, but the commericals make their stuff look sexy.

Kid's have terrible taste. At least half the times I've had sex, I'd have traded it for 5 Arby's melts if given the choice.

[Abaddon]

That makes sense somehow.

[Calvin]

I'd agree to not having another girlfriend for 3 years if god or whatever could make it so that the 5 for 5 deal was year round for those three years.

[House Of M]

Hey just wanted to let the New Yorkers know about the Kevin Smith Fan fest going on just across the River in good ol' Dirty Jer-Z. Here's the details:

http://a323.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/21/l_a73e27a2916db357cff7d50020bb758a.jpg

KEVIN SMITH FAN FEST
SATURDAY APRIL 14

Franklin Fire Hall, 137 Buckwheat Rd. Franklin, NJ 07416

Reserve tickets for $3.70 (in a row?) - email KevinSmithFest@yahoo.com or $10 at the door

11AM - 5PM (and of course some post event gatherings as well)

ALL AGES - 21 to Drink

More info @ http://myspace.com/kevinsmithfest (http://myspace.com/kevinsmithfest)

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS TBA

Smith Fest Stuff

SCREENINGS
Chasing Kevin :21 - two aspiring filmmakers hunt down Kevin and Jason Mewes for career advice.
The Freaks, Nerds and Romantics 1:45 - Post college life in the Long Island music scene.
The Beginning Of The End :27 - A documentary on life on the line to see Star Wars Episode III.
Batman Is Gonna Get Shot In The Face :16 - An animated short about the not-well-liked-by-his-peers superhero.
Nintendo Old School Revolution :6 - An animated short most easily described as Super Mario Bros. meets Braveheart.
Tootsie Pop :1 - What that kids intentions really were with that owl and turtle.
Idiots Are Us 1:30 - Three childhood friends chase their dreams of punk rock infamy in this comedy.

CONTESTS
Street Hockey Shootout
Milk Maid Contest
Magic Eye Art Speed Seeing
Sega Hockey Tournament- Vancouver Vs. The Whale
The Ultimate Kevin Smith Trivia Challenge

EVENTS
HURT Ninjas- Live Band playing a 45 minute set of all songs from the View Askewniverse
Movieoke- Like Karaoke, but with subtitled movies projected on the big screen with you doing the dialogue. All Kevin’s favorites will be on hand to perform, and then some, or bring your own favorite DVD to do.
Q&A With Scott Shiaffo- Scott will talk about being in Clerks, Vulgar and his new movie Idiots Are Us which will be screened.

FOOD MENU
Veronica’s Homemade Lasagna
Egg-a-Mooby Muffins
(Not Free) Gatorade
Milk
Soda in Brodie Style Dixie Cups
Chocolate Covered Pretzels
New Cookie From The Cookie Stand
Pringles
Candy

DRINK SPECIALS
Holy Bartender
Tequila

Hope you can make it!

[Abaddon]

I think I've only seen Dogma out of that group.

[House Of M]

Dogma alone?... who cares... still a good excuse to get drunk and party with friends.

[House Of M]

Speaking of which....

Did you see all the stuff that's going on around the city for "Spider-Man Week?"

It's pretty ridiculous.... I'm half expecting a city mandate on all homeless people herded like cattle and branded with a Spidey logo.

I actually plan to get about as drunk at the Central Park Zoo coloring my own spiderman mask or whatever, as I do at the Kevin Smith fest....

Join me, won't you?

[Abaddon]

Sounds interesting.


Meanwhile, I hate how the past few days have given a nice illusion that the weather is nice, but is actually ****ing cold and windy. :cmad:

[Abaddon]

Corzine got in trouble
Corzine got in trouble
nyah nyah nyah nyah nyah nyah

[SuperFerret]

Corzine got in trouble
Corzine got in trouble
nyah nyah nyah nyah nyah nyah

Has he stabilized yet? At first I thought he was gonna die from his injuries and then it'd be all Imus's fault.

[Abaddon]

I think he's stable, but still in pretty bad shape.

[Abaddon]

well I ran into one of those guys in the city who offer jobs to young people. They're pretty sneaky, and the guy caught me completely off-guard, but I just gave him a fake name and said sure. The sad part is, I'll probably end up regretting it like two months from now.:csad:

[NDX]

Job? What?

[Abaddon]

yea, something about customer service representatives for some new broadband thing.

[NDX]

Probably tricking you to get raped by some sercret sect. You're lucky.

[Abaddon]

he seemed friendly.:csad:

[NDX]

They always do.

[Abaddon]

free comic book day, woot! :word:

[Calvin]

Adios, big apple.

[Abaddon]

I knew it'd eat you alive.:up:

[Abaddon]

anyways, back to me.

[BatMatt]

I'll be in NYC Friday night to see The Doors (Riders on the Storm) at the Nokia Live Theatre in Times Square

[NDX]

anyways, back to me.

No one likes you.

[El ASESINO]

I'll be in NYC Friday night to see The Doors (Riders on the Storm) at the Nokia Live Theatre in Times Square


I have been there five times
Not a bad place for a concert

[BatMatt]

I have been there five times
Not a bad place for a concert

thanks for the input :up:

[Abaddon]

No one likes you.

pfft, jealous people don't count.

[tzarinna]

Why in Atlanta,Calvin?

[JP]

I saw Mama Mia! Over the weekend. It sucked monkey nuts.

[Abaddon]

it's a bunch of people singing Abba. What do you expect?:o

[JP]

I didn't know that level of suckage existed.

[Abaddon]

I've seen like two plays. they were off-broadway thingy's my class went too in the fifth grade

[JP]

I've seen Chicago, Hairspray (teh win) and now Mama Mia!

[ang_hulk]

anyone hear that nyc is pioneering the green trasnportation system passing a law that all cabs will have to get 25 or over mpg and in five years thier supposed to convert more then half of them to hybrids,i caught it on the news.sounds great.

[Abaddon]

yup. oh, that Bloomby.

[tzarinna]

Go see Spring Awakening. :rolleyes:


Anyone going to the Fangoria Weekend of Horror in Jersey?
I have to go, Clive's going to be there. :heart:

[jaguarr]

I saw Mama Mia! Over the weekend. It sucked monkey nuts.

Why? Why would you do that? :huh:

jag

[JP]

I'll see it eventually.

I really wanted to see it with the original cast. :(

[JP]

Why? Why would you do that? :huh:

jag

It was a Mothers Day gift, I had no choice. At least she enjoyed it.

[Abaddon]

damn, it got really cold outside.:(

[JP]

My apartment is so humid and gross. :(

[NDX]

It needs to be colder.

[Abaddon]

I hate the heat. I want to wear my leather jacket.:cmad::down

[GunBlade]

Cold? It's about 80 out tonight.

[JP]

Yeah, heat sucks.

[Abaddon]

Cold? It's about 80 out tonight.

it's cool and breezy.

[Abaddon]

haha, I should make this a separate thread but here:
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime_file/2007/05/28/2007-05-28_mom_nabbed_in_drug_snort_at_walmart.html

[JP]

That poor kid. Stupid cops ruined his chances of getting a toy. :cmad:

[Abaddon]

least Wal-Mart does something right

[JP]

I'm sure Wal-Mart provided the heroin at an always low price. :o

[Abaddon]

Christy Whitman's feeling the heat

[JP]

I hate the heat.

[Abaddon]

It was okay today. Tomorrow will be a *****.

[JP]

High 90s. :(

[Abaddon]

How was The Today Show?

[GunBlade]

100 plus tommorow. Thank Jesus, I'm off from work.

[Abaddon]

I think I'm just going to ride the trains all day.:o

[GunBlade]

I think I'm just going to ride the trains all day.:o

Ew.

[Abaddon]

:yellow:

[hey yo its sean]

Hey, I don't live here anymore.

[Abaddon]

It wasn't big enough for the both of us.

[hey yo its sean]

That's what she said.

[zanos]

I hate the heat. I want to wear my leather jacket.:cmad::down

Well wear it, who's stopping you? :)

[Abaddon]

not who, what. And the answer to that is common sense.:(

[ArmyDragon92A]

So where the fheep do you people live in my city? Where abouts?

[JP]

How was The Today Show?

Good Morning America (:cwink:) was fantastic (and I was on it multiple times.. I look awful). Kelly was amazing.

After that I went to a taping of The Early Show for CBS that is to air at a later date. Unfortunately they weren't as nice/organized as GMA, but Kelly was still great.

The sun was killer. :( Is today really supposed to be hotter??? :wow:

[Abaddon]

whats it going to be like this weekend

[JP]

Check the weather, lazy ass.

[Abaddon]

but I'd have to stop being lazy

[JP]

That there is a predicament.

[Abaddon]

They closed the Copacabana.


and there's some weird dude in Staten Island running around killing peac0cks.:huh:

[JP]

Yeah.. I hate the Copa.

[Abaddon]

Don't fall in love.:(

[JP]

I'm sorry. :(

[Abaddon]

The cop died.:csad:

[JP]

I just read that. :(

[tzarinna]

I'm coming up in September to see.....any guesses?




Spring Awakening! :woot: :hyper:



I didn't get a stage seat for $30 some bucks but I'll make an attempt when I'm not so lazy. I'll more than likely shoot for next year.

[Abaddon]

New York Ban on Texting While Driving Proposed



By ANAHAD O’CONNOR
Published: July 18, 2007

If u can rd ths whle u r drvng, u may be brking the law.

Or at least that is what one state senator in New York is proposing. This week, Sen. Carl Marcellino, a Republican from Syosset, announced a bill that would make it illegal to type, send or read text messages while behind the wheel. The ban would be an amendment to the current state law that prohibits talking on hand-held cell phones while driving, a practice that according to some studies can make a person four times more likely to be involved in a serious crash.

“Text messaging is the ultimate distraction because most of the time you’re using two thumbs, plus you’re looking at the screen,” Senator Marcellino said in an interview today. “And if you’re driving, that fraction of a second that you take your eye off the road — that second can be the difference between an accident or not.”

It is a practice that appears to have already proven deadly. In June, a group of five teenage girls were driving to a vacation home along a road in Canandaigua in upstate New York when their sport utility vehicle swerved into oncoming traffic and slammed head-on into a tractor trailer, killing all five of them.

The police later discovered from phone records that the driver, Bailey Goodman, 17, had been sending and receiving a succession of text messages on her phone in the immediate moments before she swerved out of her lane. Toxicology tests had already ruled out alcohol and drugs as contributing factors.

Chances are that if you haven’t sent a text message while driving, then you’ve been on the road with someone — particularly a teenager or young adult — who has. One recent study conducted by AAA found that more than a third of more than 1,000 teenagers surveyed admitted to texting behind the wheel. Another poll by Zogby found that 66 percent of people surveyed between the ages of 18 and 24 admitted to text messaging and driving.

“This is very, very widespread among teens and it’s growing,” said John Corlett, director of government affairs for AAA New York. “There’s not a lot of data on this, and we’re always a little hesitant to support traffic safety policy changes when data is absent, but in this case, clearly it’s more dangerous than using a handheld cell phone because both your eyes and your hands are off the wheel.

“We think this bill is a positive step,” he added.

The bill in New York follows on the heels of one that was passed in May in Washington, which was the first state to ban the practice of text messaging while driving. Similar bans are pending in New Jersey, California and Oregon. In New York, the bill was approved in the State Senate and is expected to be voted on in the State Assembly when it returns to session in January.

The bill would impose a $100 fine on anyone caught typing on a cell phone behind the wheel. Senator Marcellino has also introduced another bill — which was approved in the Senate and pending in the assembly — that would prohibit car manufacturers from installing television sets in dashboards (not including global positioning satellite screens).

“The issue is distracted driving,” Senator Marcellino said. “It’s very dangerous. Today your car is almost an extension of your home and office. We want people to remember that when you’re the driver, you’ve got to concentrate on the road.

“We understand these won’t be the easiest things to enforce,” he added, “but we also understand that just by virtue of knowing that something is against the law, most people will avoid doing it.”

[Sam18]

Anyone heard about the crazy explosion midtown? It looks like a freakin volcano.

[Abaddon]

yup, a water main break. at least 12 people injured

[JP]

I was scared, and you weren't there to comfort me. :(

[Abaddon]

I was busy.:cmad:

Steam Pipe Blast (http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=3391889)

[Erzengel]

If any of you want to try a good steak house, Bobby Van's was really good the other day. Kinda pricey $45 for a steak for most people but very good. :up:

[GunBlade]

They closed the Copacabana.


and there's some weird dude in Staten Island running around killing peac0cks.:huh:

You mean the club?

[Abaddon]

Yes, the club.

[GunBlade]

Sucky club.

[Abaddon]

They've caught the Mad Hadder!

[SuperFerret]

I was busy.:cmad:

Steam Pipe Blast (http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=3391889)

Is anyone else happy that the blame is being put on ConEd?

[Abaddon]

I havent kept up. What'd they fail to do this time?

[NDX]

Very.

[SuperFerret]

I havent kept up. What'd they fail to do this time?

They failed to maintain the many steampipes running under this city that are old and likely in heavy disrepair, thus making more explosions possible.

[Abaddon]

Excellent.:yay:


Also, did anyone see the guy on channel 5 with the bionic arm?:wow::up:

[Abaddon]

They're talking about another fare hike..:rolleyes:

[JP]

:dry:

[riotgirl77]

Crossposted from my Supernatural NYC Fans LiveJournal Community courtesy of Meri who posted this since she's organizing it

Looks like we have a date, folks! October 4 is the announced date for the Supernatural premiere, which means it's time to start planning the premiere party! Come join us to celebrate season 3 in style. We plan to party at the Rogue (www.theirishrogue.com) beforehand in the party lounge with screenings of previous episodes and lots of purple nurples. If we have enough people to book the room for the entire night, we'll watch the premiere there, otherwise we will decamp to the Holiday Inn (440 West 57th Street) and have a room party. I'll be booking a room there for Thursday night, and all are welcome. If anyone wants to crash there overnight, that's fine with me. Also, there will be GOODIE BAGS!

While I don't need a definite yes or no yet., I would like to get a general idea of who is interested in attending, so please comment and let me know if you think you'd like to join us. We had an awesome time at the finale party, and we're hoping the premiere party will be even better.

****So come on people, who's in? If you want in PLEASE email me (Lauren BTW) at xplsnfan@gmail.com so me and Meri can get a general idea of how many people are coming to this. THANKS!

[The Kid]

I still don't get why NYC's called a big apple.

[Abaddon]

The "Big Apple" is a nickname or alternate toponym for New York City used by New Yorkers. Its popularity since the 1970s is due to a promotional campaign by the New York Convention and Visitor's Bureau. Its earlier origins are less clear.

One explanation cited by the New-York Historical Society and others is that it was first popularized by John Fitz Gerald, who first used it in his horse racing column in the New York Morning Telegraph in 1921, then further explaining its origins in his February 18, 1924 column. Fitz Gerald credited African-American stable-hands working at horseracing tracks in New Orleans: "The Big Apple. The dream of every lad that ever threw a leg over a thoroughbred and the goal of all horsemen. There's only one Big Apple. That's New York.''

Two dusky stable hands were leading a pair of thoroughbred around the "cooling rings" of adjoining stables at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans and engaging in desultory conversation.

* "Where y'all goin' from here?" queried one.
* "From here we're headin' for The Big Apple", proudly replied the other.
* "Well, you'd better fatten up them skinners or all you'll get from the apple will be the core", was the quick rejoinder.

In the 1920s the New York race tracks were the cream of the crop, so going to the New York races was a big treat, the prize, allegorically a Big Apple.

In 1997, as part of an official designation of "Big Apple Corner" in Manhattan, former Mayor Rudy Giuliani summarizes the rest of the story:

A decade later many jazz musicians began calling the City "The Big Apple" to refer to New York City (especially Harlem) as the jazz capital of the world. Soon the nickname became synonymous with New York City and its cultural diversity. In the early 1970s the name played an important role in reviving New York's tourist economy through a campaign led by the New York Convention and Visitors Bureau. Today the nickname "The Big Apple," which replaced "Fun City," is the international description of the city and is synonymous with the cultural and tourist attractions of New York City.

Therefore, it is only fitting that the southwest corner of West 54th Street and Broadway, the corner on which John J. Fitz Gerald resided from 1934 to 1963, be designated "Big Apple Corner".

According to PBS's Broadway: The American Musical miniseries, Walter Winchell used the term "Big Apple" to refer to the New York cultural scene, especially Harlem and Broadway, helping to spread the use of this nickname.

A documented earlier use comes from the 1909 book The Wayfarer in New York by Edward S. Martin. He wrote (regarding New York) that the rest of the United States "inclines to think the big apple gets a disproportionate share of the national sap."[1] Etymologists have been unable to trace any influence that this use had on the nickname's popularity.

Swing Musician Harry Gibson remembers in his autobiography that the phrase was used in the 1940's specifically in regard to Swing Street, which was a nickname for 52nd Street west of Broadway. If this is true, then Giuliani, in the above dedication ceremony, missed it by two blocks.

An apocryphal account comes from Jazz slang: Since many musicians in the 1920's and 1930's often lived a hand-to-mouth existence, music gigs were often called "apples". To play in New York City was considered the "Big Time", and hence called "The Big Apple".

There are also two Apple Stores in the New York City area, which may literalize the name.

Manhattan, Kansas, refers to itself as "The Little Apple" in its promotional literature.

Minneapolis, Minnesota has called itself "The Mini-Apple".

Toronto, Ontario is often called "The Big Apple of Canada" mainly for its size.

In his book, Brain Droppings, comedian George Carlin crosses the readers up by saying the real term is "The Apple" or just "Apple". Any historical reference to that is not brought up by him.

In Bugs Bunny's 3rd Movie: 1001 Rabbit Tales, when Bugs reads the story about a singing frog and the movie segues into the cartoon short One Froggy Evening, he refers to the city the skit takes place in as "The Big Apple" without noting whether or not it's New York City. (The actual short mentions nothing about the city's name.)

:huh:

[Sensi]

That was very interesting. I did not know this.

[jaguarr]

Nobody Wiki's like Abaddon.

jag

[Abaddon]

It's a skill not many can master.

[Abaddon]

ha, fight at the Caribbean Day Parade. Also, the sky is blue.

[tzarinna]

Coming back up end of September and I haven't decided if it'll be by bus or train. Although the bus is cheaper but funky and uncomfortable.

[Abaddon]

how long is the ride?

[tzarinna]

There about the same. Well, the train is slower because they make so many stops.

[Abaddon]

if it's less than 5 hours, take bus.
if it's more than 5 hours, take train.

is good, no?

[tzarinna]

Is very good.

[Abaddon]

http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/story?id=3586234&page=1

[JP]

:down Ugh.

[NDX]

Said essentially the same on Nightline.

[Abaddon]

he's a ****.:up:

[tzarinna]

Okay,I'm coming back up there to see this play in my sig again.
I'm doing actual research cause I didn't have a good meal the entire time I was there. A good appetizer,yes.
So anyway,I wasn't sure if you guys knew about this (http://fodors.com/miniguides/mgresults.cfm?destination=new_york_city@111&cur_section=fea&feature=30005). Some free stuff to do.


Free Things to Do

They say you can't get anything for free. Not so in New York, where you can enjoy some of the very best music, dance, theater, and film the city has to offer and pay absolutely nothing. The best part is that most of the free events are in summer, and usually outside. The Metropolitan Opera and the New York Philharmonic give free concerts in parks scattered around all five boroughs. And look for exciting events like the Downtown NYC River to River Festival, the Hudson River Festival, and the South Street Seaport Music Festival. Below are our Top 25 free New York Experiences.



Free New York

1. Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge

2. Gaze up at the ceiling of the New York City Public Library's Reading Room

3. Marvel at the bustle of Grand Central Terminal

4. Ride the Staten Island Ferry for awesome views of the city and the Statue of Liberty

5. Listen in on a choir rehearsal at St. Thomas Church

6. Browse the art galleries in Chelsea and Soho

7. Check out famous film sites

8. Visit the Bronx Zoo (free on Wednesdays; donation suggested)

9. Be entertained by Washington Square Park's street performers

10. Walk Somewhere and Everywhere

11. Whitney Museum of American Art (Friday 6-9 pm; pay what you wish)

12. Play in Central Park

13. Museum of Modern Art (Free Fridays 4-8 pm)

14. Smell the flowers at the New York Botanical Garden (free Sat. 10-noon; Wed.)

15. Check out the sculptures in Madison Square Park

16. Catch Shakespeare in the Park

17. Metropolitan Museum of Art ($15 suggested donation)

18. Kayak on the Hudson at the Downtown Boathouse (free)

19. Attend a reading at one of the city's many bookstores

20. Watch a free flick during the summer in Bryant Park

21. Catch a free show at the Apple store in Soho

22. See what's moored at Pier 63

23. Watch the sunset from Riverside Park

24. Check out music and dance peformances at Lincoln Center Out-of-Doors festival

25. Enjoy Free Wi-Fi: Bryant Park, Battery Park, Union Square Park

I might need this next weekend.

[NDX]

The MoMA and Whitney are always worth a visit.

[Abaddon]

where is the Whitney?

[JP]

Whitney is somewhere around 75th St. I think it's on Madison.

[tzarinna]

Has anyone ever had a DimSum breakfast?

[Two-Face]

I :heart: NY

I saw that shirt other day in the shop.

[tzarinna]

Greyhound was rough going up.
My hotel (http://www.broadwayhotelnyc.com/index.asp) didn't have my reservation or any private rooms, I found out the next day that that wasn't the case. They put me up in their sister hotel (http://www.marrakechhotelnyc.com/index.asp) which was a little more adult and a lot less tacky. Who charges for continental breakfast? :cmad: Both have hostel rooms for like $30. I won't bore with anymore details about my accommodations. I'll take it to the travel thread. :o

All the times I've been to NYC I've only stayed at one place twice, The SoHo hotel in well SoHo.

The play "Spring Awakening" was great, and I'll see it again. The audience was a bit disrespectful. :down

Back up in November to see Clive. :heart:

Edit: I made it to MidTown Comics, it smelled real nerdy up in there. :csad: :heart:

[Arkady Rossovich]

Is it true that whites and asians live in Queens,Manhattan and the Hamptions while the minortities are held in projects in The Bronx and Brooklyn?

[Abaddon]

:dry:

[NDX]

Oy.

[JP]

:dry:

[Mr. Vengeance]

If anything, the minorities are everywhere. That's why I left.

[JP]

:dry:

[Mr. Vengeance]

:dry:

This guy knows what i'm talking about.

[Abaddon]

N.Y. Pizza Man Accused of Making Fake 'Dough'
Last Edited: Wednesday, 10 Oct 2007, 6:44 PM EDT
Created: Wednesday, 10 Oct 2007, 6:44 PM EDT
Credit: MyFox
By The Associated Press

DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. -- A pizzeria owner has been accused of making his own dough, counterfeit money, in a room behind the oven. Police said Wednesday that they found $6,000 in fake bills, along with printing equipment and cutting devices, in a back office at The Brick Oven Pizza Shop, near the village Police Department.

Frank Donato, 39, of Dobbs Ferry, owner of the restaurant and an adjacent ice cream stand, was arrested Tuesday and charged with 16 counts of forgery. Sgt. Harold Young said in a statement that Donato had used the equipment "to print and subsequently distribute counterfeit United States currency."

Donato pleaded innocent at his arraignment and posted $7,500 bail on Wednesday, said his attorney, Bruce Bendish.

Bendish said the equipment seized was "what you'd consider standard equipment in any kind of business." He said he would need time to investigate the charges and expected the case to be adjourned on Thursday.




lol.

[bullets]

yeah every business has its standard counterfeit money machines

[Abaddon]

maybe it came with the set.



also there's this new promotional campaign for the city. This is the site- http://www.nycvisit.com/

Here's the video- http://www.nycvisit.com/video/

[Abaddon]

I went to the Met this weekend. Nothing I saw impressed me.:(

[jaguarr]

Hey, you guys checked out upnext.com, yet? :up:

jag

[NDX]

I went to the Met this weekend. Nothing I saw impressed me.:(

Any special galleries? Their general galleries are nothing impressive if you've already been through them dozens of times.

[Abaddon]

uggh, just using that site was a *****.



I checked out the European Art and Arms and Armory sections. Some cool stuff, but not :wow: like i was hoping.

[jaguarr]

uggh, just using that site was a *****.



Yeah, it's clearly a work in progress, but the potential for something very cool is there.

jag

[Abaddon]

I guess, but google maps does pretty much the same thing.

[jaguarr]

The thing that was interesting to me about it is that it offered a way for people to interact and make recommendations, which isn't something I haven't seen on Google Maps. The potential to share favorite haunts and places other folks might not discover on their own or from a Google search is pretty cool.

jag

[tzarinna]

What's brewin in NYC Halloween night?
I want to avoid all that **** in sit in a bar undisturbed by a bunch of nonsense. I'll be staying in Chelsea.

[Mr. Socko]

I go NY twice a year or so to visit family.


Great great place, but I don't think I'd ever want to live there.

[NDX]

What's brewin in NYC Halloween night?
I want to avoid all that **** in sit in a bar undisturbed by a bunch of nonsense. I'll be staying in Chelsea.

I'll be wasting my evening away working, playing babysitter for some middleschooler at a "mascarade ball".

:(

[tzarinna]

I think most are celebrating tonight anyway.

[Abaddon]

I was thinking of going to the Halloween parade or whatever, but I don't even have a costume. Plus it's a school night. God I feel young.:(

[tzarinna]

I have no desire to dress up this year. God, I feel old. :(

[JP]

I was thinking of going to the Halloween parade or whatever, but I don't even have a costume. Plus it's a school night. God I feel young.:(

I'll be there! I'm always there. **** school. Though I have work at 11 the next day. But I'll be fine.

I'm a mime this year. :)

[NDX]

This year I wanted to dress up for the first time since middle school, and I always feel old. :csad:

There's always next year.

[Dangerous]

I love NYC

[GunBlade]

I miss my home. Greatest city ever.

[Abaddon]

Jersey is the armpit of the East Coast.

[tzarinna]

Lots of smog when I drove by tonight.

[Abaddon]

there's always smog.:o

[tzarinna]

I never noticed it before tonight. I was sober. :o

[tzarinna]

I just wanted to give a shout out to the Chelsea Hostel/ Hotel, it was the cleanest hostel I've stayed in NYC. The bathrooms were huge. I'm not sure why they put me in a room with five guys, not complaining, I love sleeping with a gang of...I'll stop now. Only thing I didn't like was the lack of towels for hostelers. They had maid service for the rooms, why not give up some towels. I don't usually pack so light but I was up here for a night and a day. I'd like to stay in one of their themed hotel rooms one day, they look super nice. http://www.chelseahostel.com/ (I don't know why they haven't updated the pictures, they clearly have given the place a makeover when I had gone)
http://starhotelny.com/index.php

I stayed in another hostel in Chelsea directly across and there was a great Irish pub that I went to again on Halloween, http://themollywee.com/. The bartender was great, he maintained even with all the ass wipes that came in and out during the evening. I was very content after leaving, god he was cute and Irish. :heart: Going back for sure.

[Abaddon]

They were probably afraid people would steal the towels.


Also- VICTORY!:cmad:

Fare Is Fair: NYC Subway Fees Stay at $2

By LARRY McSHANE – 3 hours ago

NEW YORK (AP) — After months of angry public hearings over possible fare increases, transit officials announced Tuesday that the base cost for New York's 7.3 million daily subway and bus riders will remain at $2 through 2009.

The decision was announced by Gov. Eliot Spitzer, who's endured a rougher ride lately than most city commuters, and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

"I said I would listen to the public and review the numbers, and I am thrilled that we are able to give something back," MTA Chairman H. Dale Hemmerdinger said.

The 25-cent increase in bus and subway fares throughout the nation's biggest mass-transit system was expected to have gone into effect next year. The MTA said it was backing off the unpopular proposal after an additional $220 million was found in its updated budget forecasts, with a portion of the funds coming from an increase in anticipated ridership.

The decision to stick with the $2 fare could boost public opinion of Spitzer, the Democratic governor whose popularity has been spiraling amid unhappiness over increased state spending and his plan to make it easier for illegal immigrants to get driver's licenses. Spitzer has dropped that proposal.

Fares on discount programs like unlimited monthly and weekly passes are likely to increase, which drew grumbling from opponents of the original plan.

"This fare deal is not a total save," Assemblyman Richard Brodsky said. "It's a good first step, but it's just a good step."

The last fare hike, from $1.50 to $2, came in 2003. The various discount programs make the average actual fare about $1.30.

"My pockets are saying, `Yes! Thank you!'" said Terry Ellison, 47, a city employee from Brooklyn. "That helps out a lot."

Last week, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey unveiled a widely anticipated plan to increase tolls by 33 percent for drivers between the two states. The agency said the proposal would help build a crucial train tunnel and encourage mass transit and environmentally friendly driving.

Associated Press writers Michael Gormley and Samanatha Gross contributed to this report.

:D:up:

[El ASESINO]

Anyone going to the parade this thursday?

[NDX]

Well, at least we have 'til 2009 before they threaten a hike again.

[JP]

Cant remember the last time I rode the subway in the morning and wasn't delayed.. :dry:

[Abaddon]

No parade.:o:down


I like they keep finding all these surpluses. At least this time it came before the hike.:whatever:

Also, I just remembered I've been using unlimited cards more often so-:(:cmad:

[El ASESINO]

I really hate that good day commercial were they are dancing, and now they have that crap posted on the trains on how to do the good day.

[Abaddon]

lol, isn't it just a watered down hussle?

Good Day hasn't been the same for me since Lyn Brown left. And then they had to drive away the cool, newer people- Lucy Noland, Chris whatshisface, and Stacy-Anne. I don't care for Ron Corning.

[El ASESINO]

I miss Jim Ryan

[Abaddon]

isn't he on the CBS morning show?

[El ASESINO]

Not anymore he was released a year ago

[tzarinna]

Has anyone been ice skating at Rockefeller Plaza?
Is it extremely busy and crowded? It never looks to be when I see it on news shows and such.
I'd like to do go next weekend while I'm up there.

[danoyse]

During the holidays, it's a nightmare. I've never skated there, but whenever I've been up there the lines can go as long as a 3-hour wait. :wow:

The tourists have pretty much cleared out this week, so it shouldn't be too terrible. It may be crowded if the weather stays this nice, though.

I think the skating rink at Bryant Park is still open, at least through this weekend. And that's free. :cwink:

[tzarinna]

Ah, very nice. Thanks for the heads up and the info on the free rink. :yay: :up:

[Abaddon]

I've been to one in Central Park. Was afraid I was gonna fall and get sliced up like bread.

[JP]

I've been to that one.

[Abaddon]

YC subway worker who fought robbers had killed in self-defense

1:50 AM EST, January 13, 2008


NEW YORK - Police say a martial-arts-trained subway conductor had a history of fighting back before he pulled his own knife on a group of muggers who stabbed him Thursday on an upper Manhattan street.

They say 39-year-old Maurice Parks killed a would-be robber in self-defense in 1994. He wasn't prosecuted in that case and hasn't been charged with any crime in Thursday's melee, which left bystander Flonarza Byas dead. Authorities haven't determined whose knife killed Byas or what role he played in the fray.

State Sen. Eric Adams is urging prosecutors to hold Parks' attackers responsible for Byas' death.

Parks and one of the robbery suspects are hospitalized with stab wounds. A teenage suspect has been arrested on robbery charges.


:ninja:

[JP]

Wow.

[Abaddon]

Bloomby, what are you up to?
http://gothamist.com/2008/01/18/bloomberg_to_ny.php

[Spidey-Bat]

I'm attending college in NY right now. What should I put on my to do list? I've been in the city numerous times in my life but have always come in with my parents.

[Captain Planet!]

I went to New York back in July. It was very tubular. Way better than Baltimore. :csad:

[Abaddon]

I'm attending college in NY right now. What should I put on my to do list? I've been in the city numerous times in my life but have always come in with my parents.

That list would be endless. There's always something to do.


In any case - Bloomberg- third term - yea or nay, folks?

[Colossal Spoons]

I'm attending college in NY right now. What should I put on my to do list? I've been in the city numerous times in my life but have always come in with my parents.

You had a street vendor hot dog yet?

[Spidey-Bat]

No. I don't like hot dogs.

[knowsbleed]

That list would be endless. There's always something to do.


In any case - Bloomberg- third term - yea or nay, folks?

He/it returns! :wow:

I missed it.

[Edmund Blackadder]

L-4vMQOOiUY

[JP]

In any case - Bloomberg- third term - yea or nay, folks?
I say yay. I've never had a problem with him.

[Ion Kenshin]

i had no clue this existed

[Bunker]

I'm going to NYC for the first time in November, so excited. :D

[Ion Kenshin]

awesome!!...you'll love it

[Captain Planet!]

New York felt so... unique. I've never been anywhere else that felt like New York, and I can't imagine I ever will.


I want to go back. I just wish everything wasn't so darn expensive there.

[Abaddon]

The votes are through, extended term limits.

[Abaddon]

Bloomberg's battle won, but war not over

Dan Janison
8:20 PM EDT, October 23, 2008

New York City Council

New York City Council members gather at a City Hall. (Getty Images Photo / October 23, 2008)

Mayor Michael Bloomberg might just want to hold the signing ceremony for this bill in a closet.

After the City Council voted 29-22 to extend the limit on city offices from two terms to three, Bloomberg was targeted with charges and cursing by enraged hecklers who called him "liar" and "sellout" as he was escorted by police to his sport utility vehicle parked outside City Hall.

Heckling can always be written off as part of the terrain. But there was something ominous in the air Thursday inside the Council chamber, too.

For one thing, the margin of the vote tally was less than impressive.

The "yes" votes fell short of two-thirds in a house where most members stood to be forced out of office by the end of next year. That means, in the jargon of the Council, that the measure is not "bulletproof." That is, the Democratic-dominated Council needs Bloomberg, who was elected as a Republican, to sign the bill.

If they had gotten 34 votes - two thirds of the house - they could overrule any veto and then better buttress the argument that their body is truly independent.

But for Bloomberg, as well as for Council Speaker Christine Quinn, and her loyal majority, there was a chill fall wind not just in the tally but in the tone of the dissidents' floor speeches.

In hoarse and angry tones, Tony Avella, a Queens Democrat, struck the core of the issue when he explained his "no" vote.

"If those who support this bill think it is a really good-government thing, that we have three terms instead of two, why did they wait til now? They waited til now so it was too late to do a referendum, so it could only be done legislatively."

Then he warned others in the Council: "You're not conning anybody. The public of this city knows the fix was in from the beginning. And you know something? When the time comes, hopefully - and I apologize to my colleagues - but you should all be voted out of office."

How often do you hear that kind of statement in City Hall? Cheers went up from opponents in a very divided chamber.

"We are forgetting who we work for," warned fellow "No" voter Bill DeBlasio (D-Brooklyn). He called "Orwellian" the claim made by Bloomberg and Quinn that "by taking away the people's right to decide this issue we are increasing their choices."

Charles Barron (D-Brooklyn) even cited the fact that Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez - targeted as a left-wing tyrant by American leaders - held a referendum on his own term limits and accepted the verdict when the people said no.

Before voting "No," Eric Gioia (D-Queens) offered up his local version of Joe the Plumber in the form of Jimmy the Barber, who said of the elected group at City Hall: "What are you guys thinking over there?"

"We have to rebuild people's faith in our unique form of government," Gioia said.

Now it's on to the courts, where those who favor letting the people vote again in a referendum - as done in 1993 and 1996 - will press the issue. Legal experts say it's not too late to go on the ballot next year.

This fight is just starting, the resistance clear and resonant. Don't be too shocked if by the end of this, the audacious Bloomberg, Quinn and friends - seeking a political escape route - take a fresh look at holding a public vote after all.
....

[tzarinna]

FYI, Spring Awakening closes on Broadway, January 18.

[Spidey-Bat]

I'm tempted to try a hot dog from a cart. The carts are in the Bronx though. So I don't know if I should.

[SuperFerret]

Eh, the hot dogs are in the same old filthy water in any of the five boroughs.

[knowsbleed]

Gray's Papaya. :up:

[JP]

Hell yeh :up:

[Colossal Spoons]

I'm tempted to try a hot dog from a cart. The carts are in the Bronx though. So I don't know if I should.

Just do it, they're so delicious. Never had one in the Bronx before(and I used to live there :huh:), only Manhattan

[Ion Kenshin]

The Bronx ones aren't bad honestly. Nothing like a New York dirty water hot dog. Sooo good.

[Colossal Spoons]

I really wanna take a trip back to NYC this year. Not in the summer though, I HATE the city when it's hot lol.

[Ion Kenshin]

I really wanna take a trip back to NYC this year. Not in the summer though, I HATE the city when it's hot lol.
LOL...well whenever you do hit me up maybe we can chill :up:

[Ahura Mazda]

I never understood why people liked gray's papaya hot dog so much. it was ok but nothing exceptional.

What I miss about NYC was some of the places like Cipriani's, Balthazar, Le Bateau Ivre, Limelight and La Golou (Sunday Brunch) not to mention just random days spent in and around central park.

[Spider-Fan]

I really wanna take a trip back to NYC this year. Not in the summer though, I HATE the city when it's hot lol.

I love NYC in the summer :up:

But I love NYC pretty much all times during the year...can't wait to get back up there :word:

[Ion Kenshin]

I love NYC in the summer :up:

But I love NYC pretty much all times during the year...can't wait to get back up there :word:
Seconded :p

[Raiden]

I lived in Brooklyn for two years when I was young, and I've only been able to visit New York occasionally after I moved back to the West Coast, but I still love the city and its fast-paced lifestyle. It's alot more laid-back here in SoCal.

[Spidey-Bat]

Probably been discussed already, but pizza. Where is your favorite place to go for a slice?

I've not had a chance to go outside my immediate area. There's a place on Arthur Ave that has really good pizza. I think it's called Catania. They have weird hours though. I went at like 6pm on a Wednesday and they said they were closed. WTF?