New York City Guide

Newsletter 3 - November 1999

We're sorry to say that after June 2000, because of changes in our service provider's operations and a host of other circumstances, we were forced to discontinue publication of what -- we thought -- was a information packed digest. We hope to be able to resume sometime in the future

1. Life Outside the City: Marvin's 85th Birthday Road Trip

This edition of the newsletter is a little bit late. Susie's father celebrated his 85th birthday last month and we took the opportunity to get out of the City and fly to the left coast.

We drove Doctor Marvin and his wife Mary Ann up the California coast along Highway 1. With an overnight stop to look a the rock (it's a big one) in Morro Bay, we made it to the seaside town of Carmel in 2 days. Misty and foggy, the drive up through Big Sur was magnificent; new views greeted us around every curve (and there are many!). We spent a day at the Monterrey Aquarium, one of the world's best. Marvin was especially taken with the Outer Bay exhibit. Containing one million gallons of sea water the tank looks like the biggest television screen you've ever seen. Sharks, tuna, bonito, sailfish, sea turtle and barracuda float mystically by in the deep-water twilight.

The car's water pump went out and we were stuck in Carmel for an extra day. But what a day. The fog lifted, the clouds gone, now out over Nevada and Arizona. The sun shined. Marvin's eyesight isn't too good now, but he was able to experience the blue sky, sand beneath his feet and sound of the surf at Carmel's beach. Further down the coast the majesty of Big Sur stirred the memory banks, as did that rock in Morro Bay. All in all, not a bad trip. Memories retrieved, memories shared, memories stored.

We had spent the first few of our sunny, southern California days with Susie's sister Joanne, her husband Steve and their kids Stevie, Britty and Max. Marvin's birthday was celebrated at sister Marianne's home in Encino. She, husband Mike and kids Mike and Mary hosted a sun-filled backyard party. The day after our return from up north we took a ride to sister Diane's homestead in Castaic. She, hubby Jeff and daughter Katie took Marvin on a touchy-feely tour of their beautifully landscaped backyard. Our road trip took us from the beaches south of Los Angeles, through the city to the hills of Glendale, out to the San Fernando Valley and beyond. And no earthquakes! Not a bad way to spend a couple of weeks.

So, now that we've mentioned everybody's names, what's the point of a California vacation story in a New York City newsletter? Well, just a few observations.

The Sounds of the City. In the ten days we spent in California we spotted two police cars -- in almost 1,000 miles of driving. No fire engines. No ambulances. No sirens. No flashing lights. Upon return to NYC Jim spotted five police cars in the ride in from the airport. Police cars, fire engines and ambulances continually wend their ways through the City's streets, sirens a-blaring, lights a-flashing. Haven't figured out what the explanation is. Los Angeles is a big city. We watch the cop shows. Didn't see 1-Adam-12 responding to any calls. Rescue 8? Not to be found. Besides being laid back, LA is simply quieter.

Don't Travel 3,000 Miles in Search of a Better Hot Dog. Watched the history of the hot dog on the History Channel a few months ago. One of the featured spots was a place called Pinks, on Melrose and La Brea in La-La Land. Jim had to try it. We met Susie's friend Carole at Pinks for a lunch and Jim studied the menu. He settled on one of Pinks famous chili dogs and through in one with mustard and kraut for good measure. Total disappointment. Microwaved buns, mealy chili, no snap! and no flavor. One day soon we'll do a feature on best dogs in NYC.

New Yorkisms Don't Travel. "I've got a bit of agita today," says Susie. "Huh?" says Mary Ann. "Heartburn," Susie explains. And that's the way it went. In a Glendale Olive Garden restaurant Susie told the waiter to be sure her pasta was al dente. You guessed it. "Who's Al Denty?" asked the waiter. After Susie patiently explained it was Italian for firm, 'to the tooth,' the waiter patiently explained that the Olive Garden was corporate Italian. One surprise. Standing in a new age gift shop atop the Big Sur highlands Doctor Marvin turned to Jim and asked "What's that Jewish word for knick-knacks?" "Tschotchkes?" "Yep. This place is full of those things." (Don't get any tsoris about the way we spelled tschotchke; there are many variations, none quite correct.)

A Terrace in New York is Not a Terrace in California. While admiring Diane and Jeff's lush backyard garden, complete with poi pond, we were talking about the plantings on our terrace back home in NYC. Mentioned the problems of gardening in very narrow spaces and finding a roto-tiller that works in a 6" space. Diane didn't quite understand that we were speaking tongue-in-cheek. The talk about our terrace expansion project probably threw her. If we find just the right hunk of plywood, we figure we could extend the middle portion of the windowsill (ehh, terrace) a good 8" more and gain about 2 1/2 square feet.

Winter Holiday Event Calendar - Everything to plan your winter holiday activities in the city. Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanza celebrations.

A Christmas Carol - Complete schedule and ticket information

George Ballanchine's The Nutcracker by the New York City Ballet - Complete schedule and ticket information

Radio City Christmas Spectacular featuring The Rockettes - Complete schedule and ticket information

Handel's Messiah - Schedule of performances around the city

Christmas Hotel Availability (old link) - A sampling of the many hotel rooms and rates available for the holidays

New Year's Eve 2000 Events Calendar (old link) - What to do and where to do it

Times Square 2000 (old link) - Find out all about this 26-hour extravaganza

New Year's Eve Hotels (old link) - Yes, there is room at the inn. Find out where

3. NYC Calendar

We continually add to the Calendar so be sure to check back often:

Through November 13th Rita Moreno at the Algonquin | Tuesday through Thursday 9:00P | Friday and Saturday 9:00P and 11:30P | 212-840-6800

Through November 27th Micahel Feinstein has extended his run at, where else? Feinstein's at the Regency | Tuesday thru Saturday 8:30P dinner show with seating at 6:00P | Friday and Saturday 11:00P supper show with seating at 10:00P | $60 cover | 212-339-4095

Through November 27th Karen Mason at Arci's Place | Wednesday and Thursday 9:00P | Friday and Saturday 8:30P 11:00P | 212-532-4370

Through December 4th Steve Ross at the Firebird Cafe | Wednesday and Thursday 9:00P | Friday and Saturday 9:00P 11:00P | 212-586-0244

Through December 31st Bobby Short is at the Cafe Carlyle | Tuesday through Saturday 8:45P and 10:45P | 212-744-1600

Through January 9th The Big Apple Circus: Bello and His Friends entertains people of all ages at Lincoln Center | Info 800-922-3773 | CenterCharge 212-721-6500 | Ticketmaster 212-307-4100

November 16th Alison Krauss & Union Station at Town Hall | Ticketmaster 212-307-7171

November 19th Lucinda Williams at Roseland | Ticketmaster 212-307-7171

November 19th Patti Lupone for one night only at Carnegie Hall to benefit the Gay Men's Health Crisis | $35 to $75 | Carnegie Charge 212-247-7800

November 20th Rosemary Clooney performs for one night at Feinstein's at the Regency | 212-339-4095

November 24th Chicago in concert at the Beacon Theater | Ticketmaster 212-307-7171

November 26th Natalie Cole appears at Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall | Center Charge 212-721-6500

Starting November 27th Garrison Keillor's Prairie Home Companion takes to the air live from Town Hall | All shows 5:45P | Nov 27th Andre Watts and Andrea Marcovicci | Dec 4th Faith Prince | Dec 11th Natalie MacMaster and Robin & Linda Williams | Dec 18th Chee-Yun | Dec 25th Vince Giordano & The Nighthawks | $35 & $40 | Ticketmaster 212-307-4100

November 30th George Shearing celebrates his 80th birthday at Carnegie Hall at 8:00P. Also on the bill are Nancy Wilson, Dave Brubeck, Tito Puente, Billy Taylor, Regina Carter, Grady Tate and the John Pizzarelli Trio | $25 to $62 | Carnegie Charge 212-247-7800

November 30th thru December 18th Ronan Tynan, the most inspiring Irish tenor appears at Feinstein's at the Regency | $100 cover | Ticketmaster 212-307-4100

December 3rd to January 2nd The Flying Fruit Fly Circus, by kids for people of all ages, performs at The New Victory Theater | $10 to $35 (to $35 until midnight November 14th) | Telecharge 212-239-6200 | 800-432-7250

4. Broadway Reviews: Dame Edna and Saturday Night Fever

Broadway is busy this month at the height of the season for openings so we had to expand our coverage. From Spalding Gray's wry monologues to Jackie Mason's sly observations, Carol Burnett doing Sondheim to Woody Harrelson doing N Richard Nash, there's something for everyone.

Dame Edna: The Royal Tour opened at the Booth Theater October 17th. It's worth the trip.

Saturday Night Fever: The Musical opened October 21st. Disappointing.

5. Broadway Openings

We'll have the reviews up shortly after the shows open. Find them here

Monologist Spalding Gray opens Morning, Noon and Night at the Vivain Beaumont Theater November 8th. Performances are Sunday and Monday evenings at 7:30P through January 10th

Woody Harrelson and Jayne Atkinson open in The Rainmaker at the Brooks Atkinson Theater November 11th for a limited run through January 9th

Beauty and the Beast, the kids' favorite which closed at the Palace Theater Sep 5th reopens at the Lunt-Fontanne Theater Nov 12th

Arthur Miller's drama The Price opens November 15th at the Royale Theater. The show stars Jeffrey DeMunn, Bob Dishy, Harris Yulin and Lizbeth Mackay

The revival of the Cole Porter-Sam & Bella Spewack musical Kiss Me Kate is in previews at the Martin Beck Theater. The show, starring Brian Stokes Mitchell and Marin Mazzie opens November 18th

Carol Burnett is back on Broadway along with George Hearn, Bronson Pinchot, John Barrowman and Ruthie Henshall in the Stephen Sondheim revue Putting It Together at the Gershwin Theater. Kathie Lee Gifford fans get a chance to see her on the boards when she fills in for Ms Burnett most Tuesday nights

6. Broadway Closings

The Tony Award-winning Side Man closed October 31st.

Connor McPherson's drama The Weir is closing at the Walter Kerr Theater November 28th.

The very popular Tony-Award-winning musical Ragtime will close January 16th. The show still performs very well at the box office, but sky high weekly costs of $600,000 make for negligible profit.

The revamped and streamlined Scarlet Pimpernel reopened at the Neil Simon theater September 10th. Unfortunately, critics and theater-goers didn't respond. Producers announced a probable closing 'sometime in January.'

7. Broadway Buzz

Bernadette Peters will take a vacation from Annie Get Your Gun. Daytime television vamp Susan Lucci will appear alongside Tom Wopat from December 23rd through January 16th

A special performance of The Lion King on November 15th at 8:00P will benefit Garth Fagan Dance, the upstate dance company headed by the show's choreographer

Get your tickets now! It isn't opening until March 3rd, but the limited run of Riverdance is sure to be sold out soon. If you're a fan of the troup from the Emerald Isle make your plans to catch them in NYC

8. Broadway Essay: Audra McDonald and Marie Christine

This is Audra McDonald's moment. The almost Broadway superstar won Tony awards as best featured actress in a musical for 1994's Carousel, best featured actress in a play for 1996's Master Class and actress in a featured role, musical for 1998's Ragtime. The title role, in fact the entire show, of Marie Christine was created by John LaChiusa especially for Ms McDonald's talents. Writing for the New York Times Magazine, Jesse Green refers to Ms McDonald as ". . . Julie Andrews but black, Barbra Streisand but trained, Ethel Merman but svelte." Broadway producers and theater-going regulars have recognized her talents from the beginning, now the time comes to see if Ms McDonald can carry a show through an at least respectable run.

Three questions face the production of Marie Christine. Staged as an almost operatic American version of Medea, will audiences accept the dark struggle of a New Orleans Creole escaping to Chicago with a white husband? We've long held that Leonard Bernstein's and Stephen Sondheim's breaking the mold of the 40's and 50's American musical made West Side Story the great American opera; will LaChiusa's mold-breaking modern music alienate audiences in search of a toe-tapping, best-selling CD? The basic, final question: Which African-American Broadway stars received the same audience support and rewards as an Ethel Merman, a Julie Andrews, a Carol Channing, a Mary Martin?

There is only one thing certain about Marie Christine, Audra McDonald will give the performance of her life

9. Central Park Crime Wave

A new crime wave has hit Central Park, one that makes victims of us all. Though overall crime is down -- less than 60 robberies among the 20 million visitors to the Park this year -- about 20 false crime reports have been filed in efforts to defraud insurance companies. Some hints from the officers at the Central Park Precinct: 1) Report any robberies immediately; don't wait until the night before your flight and say you need a complaint number for insurance purposes; 2) Keep your story simple -- Billy the Kid was raised in New York City but did all of his shooting out West, most Central Park crime does not involve weapons. When faced with suspicious reports police are bringing out the rubber hoses -- not-quite-honest vacationers are spending their last hours in the City going through the mug shot and fingerprinting routine down at the Central Booking Facility, not the place to make holiday memories.

10. Parks Department Library

Long time City Parks Commissioner Henry J Stern is never one to downplay an event. Last month he drew a direct historical line between the grand library at Alexandria straight to the new 1,000-volume room in the Parks Department's Central Park headquarters. Though the breadth of the Parks collection is a bit narrower than its Egyptian forerunner, it promises to be a boon to those interested in the life of the City. Focusing on materials related to the history and people involved in the development of the City's parks, the collection includes books on nature, biography and history; as well as maps, reports, plans, drawings and the personal collection of Robert F Wagner Jr, the late City official and son of the past mayor.

The Arsenal | Room 240 | 5th Avenue at 64th Street | Manhattan | Mon thru Fri 9:00A to 6:00P

11. Yankees World Series Wins

The Yankees sweep of the Atlanta Braves in the 1999 World Series could only add to their position as the dominant major league baseball team of the 20th Century. They had already won 24 World Series, dating back to their first win in 1923.

Players of the 90s such as Paul O'Neill, Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera will have their names mentioned along with other Yankee World Series' greats from the 20s through the 70s: Babe Ruth, Herb Pennock, Lou Gehrig, Tony Lazzeri, Bob Meusel, Mark Koenig, Wilcy Moore, Waite Hoyte, Jake Powell, Bump Hadley, Monte Pearson, George Selkirk, Lefty Gomez, Frank Crosetti, Joe DiMaggio, Joe Gordon, Red Ruffing, Charlie Keller, Tommy Henrich, Billy Johnson, Spud Chandler, Allie Reynolds, Bobby Brown, Vic Raschi, Gil McDougal, Phil Rizzuto, Eddie Lopat, Billy Martin, Johhny Mize, Mickey Mantle, Don Larsen, Yogi Berra, Bob Turley, Hank Bauer, Roger Maris, Johnny Blanchard, Bobby Richardson, Whitey Ford, Rom Tresh, Ralph Terry, Reggie Jackson, Mike Torrez, Graig Nettles, Ron Guidry, Rich Gossage, Catfish Hunter.

Here's a look at the Yankees 25 World Series wins:

1923 Yankees defeat the Giants 4 games to 2
1927 Yankees defeat the Pirates 4 games to 0
1928 Yankees defeat the Cardinals 4 games to 0
1932 Yankees defeat the Cub 4 games to 0
1936 Yankees defeat the Giants 4 games to 2
1937 Yankees defeat the Giants 4 games to 1
1938 Yankees defeat the Cubs 4 games to 0
1939 Yankees defeat the Reds 4 games to 0
1941 Yankees defeat the Dodgers 4 games to 1
1943 Yankees defeat the Cardinals 4 games to 1
1947 Yankees defeat the Dodgers 4 games to 3
1949 Yankees defeat the Dodgers 4 games to 1
1950 Yankees defeat the Phillies 4 games to 0
1951 Yankees defeat the Giants 4 games to 2
1952 Yankees defeat the Dodgers 4 games to 3
1953 Yankees defeat the Dodgers 4 games to 2
1956 Yankees defeat the Dodgers 4 games to 3
1958 Yankees defeat the Braves 4 games to 3
1961 Yankees defeat the Reds 4 games to 1
1962 Yankees defeat the Giants 4 games to 3
1977 Yankees defeat the Dodgers 4 games to 2
1978 Yankees defeat the Dodgers 4 games to 2
1996 Yankees defeat the Braves 4 games to 2
1998 Yankees defeat the Padres 4 games to 0
1999 Yankees defeat the Braves 4 games to 0

For his career, Yankee great Yogi Berra appeared in 14 World Series and proudly owns 10 World Series rings. Derek Jeter debuted in 1996. Over the 4 years he has played on 3 Yankee World Series-winning teams.

12. Greenmarkets

Where can you find fresh teasle, feverfew, verbena and rosehips? How about 26 varieties of apples? Or 19 types of potatoes? It might be November but the New York City Greenmarkets are bursting at the seams with an abundance of fresh veggies, fruits, greens, meats, seafood, baked goods and more. The summer drought was a bit hard on the area's crops, especially corn, but things are back to normal and the stands are overflowing.

The Greenmarket program started about 20 years ago to bring rural growers and city buyers together. Today, 27 Greenmarkets operate around the City, at least one in each borough. The largest of the Greenmarkets is operated 4 days a week at Union Square. It's frequented by many chefs from Manhattan's top restaurants and, in many cases, the chefs suggest items for the producers to grow or raise.

Prices at the Greenmarkets are meant to be fair to both the producer and buyer; they aren't cheap, but the quality and freshness make them more than competitive with retail stands and supermarkets. Only producers, their families and employees are allowed to sell at the Greenmarkets, no middlemen or brokers allowed. All items for sale must be grown or raised by the producers, so after you buy that just-harvested trout, don't look around for the lemon to go with it, but the perfectly fresh parsley is just 2 stalls away.

In addition to our usual Greenmarket report we did a pretty in-depth survey of the Union Square Greenmarket this past weekend. In addition to the 26 varieties of apples and 19 types of potatoes we found 16 varieties of pumpkins and squash, 10 types of sprouts and more. Much, much more

13. Bridgemarket

The City's recent announcement that Bridgemarket was to open in October turned out the be a bit premature. We took a walk up to the 59th Street Bridge to research our promised report and found construction, a lot of construction. Exterior heating and air-conditioning units were being installed; Con Edison was installing new transformers; interior plumbing and electrical was still being roughed out. Looks like the project is at least 3 months away from completion. After more than 20 years in the works, what's another few months? We'll keep you posted.

Hope you enjoyed our newsletter. See you next month!

Susie and Jim