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HOW MANY COLLISIONS ARE THERE AT THE BRYANT PARK ICE RINK? |
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No! Thank God! Ice skating is hugely popular in the winter in NYC. Aside from the most well-known rink in Rockefeller Center, there are other iconic spots to check out. Wollman Rink in Central Park feels like you are in the heartbeat of NYC, offering a stunning backdrop of trees and skyscrapers. You might recognize it from scenes in the movies "Love Story" and "Serendipity." The Brookfield Place Waterfront Rink, located downtown, offers views of the Hudson River and the Statue of Liberty. For Brooklynites, the Roebling Rink in Brooklyn Bridge Park is, to me, the most spectacular, with incredible views of the Manhattan skyline while you skate under the Brooklyn Bridge! The views alone could cause some collisions. But back to Bryant Park. You would think there would be more collisions with more than 5,000 skaters on its busiest days. But not the case, apparently, as it's run like a well-oiled machine. So well-oiled that it nets over $8 million during the season for Bryant Park—a third of the park’s revenue for the entire year is generated by this relatively small patch of ice around for only about four months. The revenue comes from the skate rentals since admission is free. The skates start at $20 a pair. You know where there are collisions? On ski slopes. Ask Gwyneth Paltrow. For those of you who don’t follow trashy pop culture like I sometimes do, Gwyneth collided with a retired optometrist while skiing in Park City, and he sued her for $300,000. She countersued and claimed he ran into her. Paltrow won. If you want to catch a more hysterical version of the events that led to the lawsuit, you might want to check out "Gwyneth Goes Skiing" at the Soho Playhouse through this Sunday. Her much-followed, mimicked, memed, and social media-posted trial is now the subject of this off-Broadway musical. The show debuted in London to sold-out audiences before moving on to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, where it also enjoyed a sold-out run. Although Paltrow won in the real-life trial, the show offers audience members a chance to weigh in and decide who they think is at fault. Therefore, there are three different endings, providing the audience with an opportunity to vote on who they believe is the guilty party. Camp, pop culture, audience participation? I’m in! |
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Wishing Have a terrific and trial-free weekend (unless you go see that show). Best, Michael |
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Question of the Day |
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Who in New York is not a fan of Saturday Night Live? |
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Local News |
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New and upcoming Broadway shows headed to NYC in 2025 |
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Here’s a full list of shows that will be opening on Broadway in the first few months of 2025. Seeing a Broadway show can require quite a lot of planning—and sometimes a leap of faith. You can wait try to see only the very best Broadway shows by waiting until everything opens and gets reviewed, but by then it is harder to get tickets and good seats. So it's smart to keep an eye on upcoming productions—whether they're original musicals and plays or revivals of time-tested classics—and pick out some promising options in advance. Here, in order of their first performances, are the productions that are set to begin their Broadway runs in the first few months of 2025. (Other shows may be added if and when they are announced.) Jan 24 - Mar 2, 2025 Apr 1 - Dec 31, 2025 More Info: CLICK HERE |
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The best things to order at NYC Restaurant Week’s top spots for winter 2025 |
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New York City Restaurant Week is from January 21 to February 9 New York City Restaurant Week’s winter edition is back! More than 500 restaurants are offering special pre fixe specials citywide from January 21 to February 9. This year’s price points are $30, $45 and $60 for brunch, lunch and dinner menus on the days of each venue’s choosing. With so many sensational spots, and so little time to taste them all, it can be hard to narrow the field. Luckily, I have thumbed through the list and highlighted the top options to snag that reservation. Check out the best places to visit and everything to order during NYC Restaurant Week this winter. NYC Restaurant Week’s best reservations for winter 2025 in the link below: More Info: CLICK HERE |
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Iconic Brooklyn pizzeria Di Fara is launching a frozen pizza line for retailers |
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For decades, legendary pizza-maker Domenico “Dom” DeMarco personally made every pie at Brooklyn's iconic Di Fara Pizza. But after he died at 85 in 2022, his widow, five sons and two daughters carried on his legacy by maintaining Di Fara's 60-year-old original location in Midwood (on a street that now bears his name), opening other brick-and-mortar shops, and launching their latest venture: a frozen pizza line. Di Fara’s officially announced the pizza line’s launch at tristate area ShopRites this November. The subsequent feedback has been “tremendous,” said Margaret Mieles, DeMarco’s middle daughter. Mieles said the ingredients in the frozen pies are the same as the ones made in the pizzerias, and that she and her siblings know the recipes well. The supermarket pies, which are currently available in classic-style or with pepperoni, retail for around $10 to $12, although prices can vary by location. More Info: CLICK HERE |
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Featured Listing |
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1215 5th Avenue, Unit 12B |
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5 Beds | 5 Baths | Total Rooms: 11 | Co-op Upper Carnegie Hill | Maintenance: $13092 Offered at: $5,295,000 |
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Luxurious Duplex Residence with Direct Central Park Views on Museum Mile Welcome to 1215 Fifth Avenue, Apt. 12B—a sprawling five-bedroom, five-bathroom duplex offering unparalleled luxury and comfort over approximately 3,800 square feet of elegant living space. Situated directly across from Central Park on the prestigious Museum Mile, this expansive residence boasts eleven generously proportioned rooms designed for both lavish entertaining and serene daily living. Grand Entrance and Entertaining Spaces Enter through a formal gallery accessible via a semi-private vestibule, where you're greeted by solid oak floors, custom hand-crafted wallpaper, gold leaf ceilings, and a welcoming wet bar—setting the tone for the opulence that awaits. The gallery seamlessly flows into a sun-drenched corner living room featuring oversized windows with breathtaking west and south-facing views of Central Park. This magnificent space is further enhanced by a working fireplace, providing a warm and inviting ambiance. Adjacent to the living room, the expansive dining room spans over 22 by 15 feet, offering the perfect setting for grand dinner parties. Guests will be captivated by the sweeping park and reservoir views that serve as a stunning backdrop. Chef's Kitchen and Private Retreats The windowed eat-in kitchen is a culinary masterpiece, equipped with custom cabinetry, rich green marble countertops, and top-of-the-line appliances—including a SubZero refrigerator, two wine fridges, a six-burner Viking stove, and a vented hood. A fully intact staff room with custom built-ins, a day bed, and an en-suite bath provides additional convenience. The comfortable library off the gallery features floor-to-ceiling custom built-ins and oblique park views. An exquisite marble-clad full bath doubles as a powder room for guests. This versatile space easily converts to a generous fifth bedroom if desired. Completing the upper level is the incomparable primary suite—a sanctuary with oblique park views, two luxurious marble en-suite baths, a spacious custom-fitted walk-in closet, and a separate area ideal for a home office. Lower-Level Family Living A handsome, wide staircase leads to the lower level, where you'll find a family or media room, an additional home office, and three bedrooms—including one with an en-suite bath. Two fully renovated full baths and a windowed laundry room with a full-sized vented washer/dryer and incredible storage complete this level. Exquisite Details and Building Amenities This magnificent home features through-the-wall air conditioning, period-appropriate moldings, pristine solid wood floors, recessed lighting, and an abundance of storage with 14 closets throughout. Built in 1926 by renowned architects Schultze and Weaver, Brisbane House is an elegant pre-war co-op featuring a stunning limestone base, beautiful lobby, and tranquil courtyard. Residents enjoy the convenience of a full-time doorman, fitness area, central laundry, additional storage, and bike storage. Prime Location Located along Fifth Avenue's Museum Mile, you're adjacent to world-class cultural institutions such as The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Guggenheim, and the Neue Galerie. Central Park is your front yard, and an array of fine dining and shopping options are just moments away. See listing website: CLICK HERE |
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