BUT WAIT…THERE’S MORE!

Or…Want a free pass to a NYC museum?   Pull out that library card!

You’ve seen those  infomercials that tell you to order some  wonderful miracle  product that you can’t live without and once they’ve almost got  you hooked…they throw in…”But wait…there’s more!”  And then they tell you about some great  thingamajig that goes along with the other thingamajig and there you are…ordering.   Well friends,  that’s what’s going on  with a New York , Queens or  Brooklyn Library card!!!!

Culture Pass

Here’s how it works

Use that library card to  borrow those books, do that  research, watch that  movie, attend that  lecture, use their restrooms  and then..to reserve a free museum pass .  All you have to do is go to the
Culture Pass website enter your library card number and password and select the venue of your choice.    If you don’t have a library card now’s the time to get one.  Anyone who lives, works or studies in New York State can get a NYPL library card and even if you’re just visiting there’s a short term  visitor card available (didn’t know that).

The day the program was announced, July 15th, the NY City Library received over 5000 on-line  applications for library cards usually it’s about 290!   But wait there’s more…over 9,500 free passes to the  Met Museum, Whitney and MoMa  are now  reserved-sold out (well not sold ’cause it’s free).  There are 33 institutions in Culture Pass  and more coming. One caveat – you can only go  once a year to each venue.  Good news is that a pass can be for 2 to 4 people depending on the institution.  This City and Library  initiative is focused on allowing more access to the culture  this City has to offer that  may not otherwise be affordable to many.   The Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum  is on the list and  its ticket alone  can be $33 for one person.

Culture Pass is THE  hot ticket

Right now(July 23) all passes are gone, but as of August 1 and the first of every month thereafter  reservations are open again.

My friends from across the country talk to me about the cost of living in NYC and discuss how their  rotisserie chickens are only $4.99  and gasp at my $8.99.  Of course, they’re right, but you can’t beat the quality  and quantity  of  free-bees  this City offers.  (Let’s not talk about apt costs and parking-that’s a whole different story)  BTW the Met Opera’s free  summer HD  outdoor series starts on  August 24th  – more info in my next post.

AS ALWAYS, LOVE THIS CITY!

KAY’S NOTES: (Now that  news of Culture Pass has hit all the papers and social media  many of you are probably well aware of this  program; however,  I thought I would be remiss if I didn’t write this post just in case.)

IMPORTANT TO KNOW: From Culture Pass website: Dozens of organizations participate in Culture Pass, from children’s museums and public gardens to historical societies and heritage centers. View the full list of participating organizations to see what interests you — whether it’s fine art or history, nature or photography.   https://www.culturepass.nyc/

GOOD TO KNOW: (FROM NYPL website) There are   92 locations to get a library card or you can  apply for a library card online.

Disclaimer: I try for correct info  on my posts, but no guarantees people.

A WALK TO REMEMBER

 

Or…Fifth Avenue back in the day….

First time I visited the business library of the NYPL was last week. As I stood looking at the building, I remembered  it was the former B. Altman & Co. department store.

And then it happened … a memory from years ago.  A memory of the walks we (my family) took  up Fifth Avenue starting with B. Altman back in the 50’s and 60’s.  I think some of you, my peers to be exact, probably  remember that stretch of Fifth Avenue from 34th to 59th filled with the most beautiful and iconic  stores.  Some still around and some gone forever.

 

We   would walk from Penn Station  to Fifth  along 34th Street. Sometimes we stopped at Macy’s on the way  and sometimes on the way back.    Our first stop was always officially B. Altman.

Image result for b altman

After Altman’s we went to Lord and Taylor, walked by the Lions  guarding the New York Public Library,  to Rockefeller Center, Saks,  Tiffany’s, Steuben Glass,  St Patrick’s, Bonwit Tellers and FAO Schwarz.   Lastly we visited Bergdorf Goodman.

Of course,  we got dressed up!    We wore a suit or a dress, stockings, high heels and sometimes even a pillbox hat.  (Yes,  our feet hurt…we didn’t care)

Plus, you know what?  We never bought anything!    The only thing we spent money on was food at  the Automat, Schraffts and  Top of the Sixes.

The restaurant, Top of the Sixes, was a very special treat for us.   Reading about it now it was never known for its food, but for its glorious view and design. Truthfully, I  can’t remember a thing we  ate, I can  only remember that spectacular  view from  some forty   floors above Fifth.

Now it’s a Cigar Bar! Bonwit Tellers is now Trump Towers and  Shraffts and the Automats are  all gone.  FAO Schwarz moved a few times and is now gone.     Good thing about Altman’s is that the building has Landmark status, so its beautiful architecture remains.

After the window shopping and  the walking thru stores and  the admiring  of the latest fashions,  and the lunch, we walked back to Penn Station.  As we sat on the LIRR with our shoes off (feet burning) we talked and laughed about our adventures.   We had some really good ones, but that’s for another post!

LOVE THIS CITY…ALWAYS!

KAY’S NOTES:

IMPORTANT TO KNOW:  Some of the buildings have been protected by the Landmark Commission; however, some have been  torn down by developers including Bonwit Tellers which is  now Trump Towers.   FAO Schwarz on the corner of 59th and Fifth was moved to the GE building across the street and now out of business.   Horn and Hardart Automats exist  only at a special exhibit at the Smithsonian in DC.

GOOD TO KNOW:  Lots of websites about historical New York and the ladies mile on Fifth.   Just google – they’ll all come up.

Photographs courtesy of the Department Store Museum

Disclaimer: I try for correct info  on my posts, but no guarantees people.

 

 

 

 

B U L L E T I N !

JUNE 27
  • GOOD NEWS FOR SOCCER FANS:  (Rockefeller Center) is your new headquarters! and have teamed up to transform the Plaza into soccer central—watch or play a pickup game, catch a match on the jumbo screens with bleachers –  or explore the vintage jersey exhibit  starting Saturday June 30th thru the  final match July 15th.
    (courtesy of Time Out New York)     
  • LAST DAY FOR TALKING STATUES- JUNE 30TH: Hear actors give voices to historical statues. Produced in collaboration with  NYC Parks Department, brings the stories behind 35 statues around the city to life. The project, was created by filmmaker David Peter Fox, who did the same thing in London, Copenhagen, and Helsinki (among other cities) before moving on to  New York  http://www.newyorktalkingstatues.com

    LOVE THIS CITY!
    Disclaimer: I try for correct info  on my posts, but no guarantees people.

     

Kick Off Monday

Or…my  Every Other Monday post (EOM)
Or…how much soccer have you been watching?
Or…have any biscuits/pancakes/fried chicken lately?
Good Morning!   It’s Monday!

And…here we go!

I fell in love with soccer full force, when I realized there are no commercials  till halftime.  I don’t know how many of you watch the World Cup, but I  absolutely love it.  However, I decided I can not spend hours every day glued to the TV, so I made a decision.  When one of my favorite teams  is playing or I think it will be an exciting game, I’ll be there. I mean how can one resist Ronaldo!Image result for ronaldo

But yesterday I did walk away for a while cause my foodie son  took  us to a great brunch place on the Upper  West Side,  Jacob’s Pickles.  By the way,  a common request by respondents to  my survey   was  to hear more about NYC restaurants, hence, Jacob’s Pickles.  To put this restaurant thing in perspective,  I’m not a food critic, but I will tell you about places I’ve been that I think you might like reading about or perhaps even eating there.

Here’s the deal with Jacob’s Pickles (no TVs so no soccer, bummer) Southern-accented comfort food.  It’s all about the beer,  and the  biscuits, and the pickles, and the pancakes, and the fried chicken…plus.    My teenage granddaughters love this restaurant. This was the first visit for one of my  granddaughters  who said after,”I knew it was going to be good, but I didn’t think it would be  that good!”

She  ordered the  fried chicken atop the bacon sprinkled pancakes with home-made syrup. And listen to this, my son had the Croque Madame – fried chicken with black forest ham, gruyere cheese, sunny side up eggs on a bacon egg and cheese biscuit.  Yikes!  Me? I had wonderful deviled eggs and   picked on their food   with absolutely no shame.  The portions are huge.

There  can be a long  wait(see more about Jacob’s Pickles  in Kay’s Notes) so plan accordingly.    It’s a good time  to explore this interesting  area while waiting. The   Museum of Natural History is a few blocks away and could be considered after brunch to walk off the biscuits, fried chicken, gravy, cheese grits and the fried Oreos.

Rose’, water and Kentucky Porch Sipper

If you want to have a quiet brunch with soft music in the background and no need to ask “what” a gazillion times,   JP is not for you.   But if you want really good  comfort food, interesting loud music, good drinks, surrounded by a cool crowd, great service, go… and especially if  you have teenagers in your group, .they will love it.

Here are some of the  sites in the neighborhood as we walked around waiting for our table.

An artist, her dog and a passer-by – quietly taking in a weekend  morning
A  footed tub just waiting for some water!

 

 

 

 

 

Care to join us?

LOVE THIS CITY!   LOVE ITS  FOOD!

KAY’S NOTES:

Important to know:   JP is located on  Amsterdam Ave between 84th and 85th.   It can be absolutely packed especially on weekends.    The first time we went, we had over an hour wait, they’ll call you on your phone  to let you know when your table is ready.  Check out their website for more details.  Reservations for 8 or more. http://jacobs.picklehospitality.com/

A very  important thing about JP…Jacob’s Digs 

Jacob’s Pickles is located next door to a verdant garden on the Upper West Side. In conceptualizing the restaurant, restaurateur Jacob Hadjigeorgis envisioned a holistic approach to building community partnerships. As a longtime neighborhood resident inspired by artisanal movements that increasingly define local economic growth, Jacob rejoiced at landing 509 Amsterdam. To celebrate the homecoming and provide gardening resources, Jacob established a complimentary charity, Jacob’s Digs. 

Good to know- One: If you’re in my peer group – be adventurous.   I probably would not have chosen this restaurant if not for my son and I was so glad I went.  You’ll be surrounded by lots of young, happy people out for  brunch.   I had a great time!

Good to know -Two:  Museum of Natural History is at Central Park West and 77th Street.  https://www.amnh.org/.  There are other brunch places in the area…easy to spot all have people  mingling outside waiting for tables.

Beer drinkers take note:  Jason’s Pickles has  a nice selection of American beers from New York, Vermont, California, Colorado, Illinois, Texas, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Florida, Pennsylvania and Michigan.  No beer for us.  I had a nice but somewhat boring rose’ and my son had the Kentucky  Porch Sipper. I had a sip of that sipper. Delish!

Kid Friendly:  Older kids – not toddlers and babies very noisy and crowded.

Prices:  Typical NYC,  but not crazy

Restrooms: On main level and downstairs

Disclaimer: I try for correct info on my posts, but no guarantees people.

 

 

 

 

 

EOM ANNOUNCEMENT!

Or…Every Other Monday!

A large amount of responders to my recent survey said they read my  blog, but really don’t know when it comes out…it just pops up they said.  Well, we can’t have that.     So… I listen people.    You lucky readers will see a new post every two weeks on a Monday morning.

Bottom line…Starting June 25th , you’ll see a new post. about something City.  So sleep soundly Sunday night – bright and early Monday morning, there will be all the news that fits to blog (stolen from NY Times)  on your smart phone or in  your inbox.

Now, just to let you know, if I learn of something or do something that I think I might like to tell you about and it  is time sensitive, you could get another post in between the EOM schedule.

Thanks for reading kaysnycways.

Love this City!

K. of kaysnycways

 

DID YOU RECEIVE MY SURVEY?

Or…I recently  sent you, via email,  a very short  survey on my blog.   If you haven’t received it, please check your spam/junk mail.  I know everyone is busy, especially as summer and travel is upon us, but I would really appreciate  your feedback.

Thank you,  If you’ve already responded to the survey, just ignore this post.

Kay.

 

HOW A 9 YEAR OLD SAVES THE DAY!

 

Or…we all need someone who  “has our back”.

This post was written with the help of my granddaughter who came to the aid of her  other  grandmother  on a city bus.  In fact this post was written almost entirely by her to go on my blog, as if I was writing it.

“My son’s wife’s mother and her  granddaughter were going on a shopping spree.    And boy does my son’s wife’s mother look young!.   They were getting on the bus and when she paid, the bus driver said,”Why are you paying half?”
My son’s wife’s mother said, “I’m a senior.”
“No, you’re not” said the bus driver.
And her granddaughter  looked that bus driver right  in the eye and  said,
“Yes she is, she’s my grandma!”

As they walked to their seats..everyone on the bus, that could hear what happened,  laughed out loud…including the bus driver!

Thanks for your help Dear Granddaughter!   Good job!

New York City stories never end — and this is one of my favorites!

Love this City and full of love for my granddaughters.

KAY’S NOTES:

Listening to my seven  granddaughter’s  stories about what’s going on in their lives is often  a joy,  often eye-opening   and often a learning experience for me.  We share stories  and often make up stories to tell each other.   Bet some of you do too.   Right?

A note on the “my son’s wife’s mother” we liked the way it sounded.

Disclaimer: I try for correct info on my posts, but no guarantees people.