Entertainment, Environment, Fitness, Sports, Tourism, Tribeca

Keeping a New York Tradition Running

The New York City Marathon got underway on Oct. 17, 2020. This year, much like many other aspects of life in the City, the traditional route was forsaken for a virtual form. Runners were encouraged to register for any 26.2-mile route of their choosing and complete it within two weeks.

The New York Road Runners, the umbrella organization responsible for the annual marathon, reported that more than 28,000 runners from 130 countries and all 50 states signed up for the modified race this year. Close to 21% of those registered were based in New York’s metropolitan region.

Sunday, November 1, would have been the 50th anniversary of the New York City Marathon. While runners didn’t traverse the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, where the run usually gets underway, they could still run through the track down Fourth Avenue and Lafayette Avenue in Brooklyn, across the Queensboro Bridge, and through Manhattan and the Bronx to the “finish line” in Central Park.

There were no street closures, supportive crowds, or aid tents, but many fans of the marathon did put up encouraging signs to show their support.

Environment, Fundraising, NY Environment, NY News, Tourism, Transportation, Tribeca

Koalas Invade NYC

Koalas are not just in New York’s zoos anymore. More than a few plush koalas have been affixed to landmarks across the borough as part of a cute campaign encouraging locals and tourists to donate to WIRES, the Australian wildlife rescue effort.

stuffed koalas across NYC and London

These fuzzy, flat-nosed creatures were placed by the New York office of Melbourne media outfit Cummins & Partners (as KoalasofNYC) in places like the Brooklyn Bridge, Tribeca, Central Park fences and benches, Soho, subway platforms, light poles, and fire stations. Each koala has a QR code printed on a tag that directs people to the fundraising page and reminds curious bypassers about the environmental and wildlife crisis in the wake of the 2019-20 brushfires. Koalas were also placed around London for the same purpose.

Belleclaire Hotel, Chandler Hotel, Cosmopolitan Hotel – Tribeca, Entertainment, Evelyn Hotel, Frederick Hotel, Iroquois Hotel, NY News, Restaurants, The Edison Hotel, The Evelyn, Tourism, Tribeca, Triumph Hotels

Have the Ultimate New York Winter Experience

It is busy, it is bustling, it is even a bit brassy, but New York City winter is also irresistible. Here are some tips to have the best time in New York City this (and every) winter season.

New York City winter lights

Plan Ahead: Do your research and get as many reservations on the books as early as possible. Tables at that new place(s) you want to try, rooms at the hotel in the midst of all the action, tickets to the show(s) you want to see…get it all in advance.  

Come Prepared: The previous tip notwithstanding, expect long lines and crowded attractions. Dress in layers and bundle up warmly. It can get mighty cold outside as you visit many of the outdoor attractions, especially those that are prettiest at night.

Turn on the Glitz: Midtown Manhattan is the center of New York’s winter fete. Trek up trendy Fifth Avenue from 40th St to Central Park and see all the lights and glamour. Go to Saks Fifth Avenue’s light display, Tiffany’s dazzling diamonds, and the iconic trees at Rockefeller Center, the New York Public Library, the Empire State Building, Bryant Park, and others.

Make a List: Check it Twice: New York’s winter markets are charming venues worth exploring. They are filled with local artists and designers selling gifts and trinkets that you and your family will adore. Grand Central Terminal holds a unique Holiday Fair, in the stunning Vanderbilt Hall, focusing on socially responsible business and handmade craft gifts.

The wind-down of every calendar year is an exciting time in New York City. Come enjoy the post-Thanksgiving magical air; see the city transformed into a singing, dancing, sparkling Tinseltown.

Entertainment, Fashion, NY News, Technology, Tourism, Tribeca

Take Heed: New York Fashion Week is Coming

Plans are well underway for New York’s winter Fashion Week scheduled for February 6-13, 2020 in Spring Street Studios, a venue in lower Manhattan.

With its glamorous cast of models, exuberant palette of colors, and high-energy environment, Fashion Week is always an exciting time to be in New York. And there is good news for all the fashionistas and style trendsetters who haven’t been invited to the main event(s). Whether looking to experience the marvel of New York in the winter, or staying in the cozy comforts of home, New York Fashion Week is only as far as the nearest smartphone. Heed, an app offering real-time, closeup glimpses of the looks and designs on the runway this winter.

Once reserved for fashion insiders, big-name stars of Hollywood, and models, New York Fashion Week is now accessible to any Heed user. The app allows users to watch the models backstage and on the runway, buy certain pieces immediately after the show, chat with industry leaders and stylists, and get opinions from fashion mavens.

Entertainment, Featured, NY News, Restaurants, Tourism, Tribeca

Economy Candy: Manhattan’s Very Own Sugar Rush Shop

Located in Manhattan’s Lower East SideEconomy Candy, is THE haven for sweet-toothed candy lovers. And it isn’t your typical candy shop.

The store is stocked with floor-to-ceiling displays of over 2,000 different types of candies from all over the world, even candy that isn’t made anymore.

illustrative photo of candy likely offered at Economy Candy

The store first “opened” in 1937 as a candy cart in front of Morris “Moishe” Cohen’s hat and shoe repair shop. During the Great Depression, Moishe’s cart offered gratifying sweet treats to recently laid-off workers.

Economy Candy has remained in the Cohen family for over eight decades. Moishe’s son Jerry and his wife Ilene took over the candy shop in the 80’s and ran it together for over 30 years. Now their son Mitchell operates the place with his wife. Mitchell began working at the shop on weekends as a reprieve from his demanding Wall Street job. Eventually, he realized he wanted to be in the family business full-time. “Nothing is dull in here. There is so much variety. So much color,” said Mitchell.

He is committed to making every customer happy. “If you don’t see it, it’s probably not made anymore – but I will find it for you,” he says.

So whether you are looking for German Haribo gummy candies, or you want to try one of the nine varieties of Japanese KitKats, or if you have a hankering for some other sweet confection from your youth, make sure to visit Economy Candy on your next trip to downtown Manhattan.

Tribeca

Working out in Tribeca

fitnessWhen one is in Tribeca, what is the best workout option? There are so many different possibilities; here we take a brief look at yoga and rowing.

First, Sky Ting Yoga (which opened in 2015 in Chinatown) became so popular that it now has an overflow; a loft-like Tribeca studio owned by the same founders: Krissy Jones and Chloe Kernaghan.  Designed by Nick Poe, the new studio in Tribeca features a tailor-made Smile to Go menu, beauty offerings (from Benshen, CAP Beauty and Moon Juice) as well as an infrared sauna, two sun-filled rooms and one small studio to be used for specialty classes.

At the studio one will soon be able to register for pre- and post-natal classes as well as those suitable for kids (which is good as Tribeca is known for being family-oriented – just check out the NY Kids Club in the area) restorative classes and a yoga teacher training course.

Also new in Tribeca at 333 Church Street, is Current Fitness, where one can work up sweat by rowing indoors. It is set to open early next year (February 1st) and is owned by co-founder of Brooklyn Crew, Josh Ozeri. One looking for a full-body calorie busting workout (which does not put pressure on one’s joints) should definitely check this out.