Wednesday, April 29, 2015

FREE Walking Tour of Historic LES

Friends of the Lower East Side is offering FREE walking tours of the historic LES this Saturday from noon to 2 pm.  Rain date is May 9th.  Meet at the SE corner of Delancy and Orchard Streets.

I've seen similar tours go for $10-$25 per person, so this sounds like a great deal.


From Friends of the Lower East Side's website:

Teeming Tenements Transformed: A Lower East Side Walking Tour
The guided tour, led by architectural historian Mitchell Grubler, will focus on the history and architecture of the Lower East Side with particular attention to the housing, institutions and businesses that were the center of immigrant life. . The tour will highlight the impact of housing reforms reflected in the changes to the plans and features of tenements over time. We will see pre-Old Law, Old Law and New Law tenements and look up at the elaborate terra cotta ornamentation that distinguishes many buildings.
Although endangered, a number of blocks south of Delancey Street still retain the sense of place that would be familiar to our immigrant ancestors. “The Lower East Side is where millions of immigrants have taken their first steps in the New World on the road to the American Dream,” wrote Joyce Mendelsohn, tour co-leader and author of the definitive guidebook to the area, The Lower East Side Remembered and Revisited. The structures that housed some of the institutions and businesses which served the multitudes of immigrants will also be highlighted.

FREE Whitney Block Party

The much anticipated opening of the Whitney Museum of American Art, 99 Gansevoort Street in Soho, is finally opened.  In celebration, this Saturday will have performances, hands on activities, karaoke, and much more from 10:30AM to 10PM.  It should be fun time.


Tons of awesome FREE classes and events for toddlers, kids, teens, adults, and families in Battery Park City

Battery Park City has tons of (mostly) free classes and events for toddlers, kids, teens, adults, and families.  Some of the offerings include gardening, soccer, basketball for kids, bird watching, musical events, garden tours for all ages, and Shakespeare, Yiddish Theater, ultimate Frisbee, yoga, and drawing for adults.  These are just a few of the offerings.  My family has enjoyed many of the events including gardening, soccer, drum circle, and more.  Plus they have great parks for the kids to enjoy and open space to run around.  Not to mention a great view!!!

Check out the Battery Park City website for a complete listing of events from May 1st to October 31st.

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Be open to what's available

You won't belive what my son and I came across while walking home yesterday (and even the week before). The CVS near my house was discarding huge bags filled with awesome usable, non-expired and in excellent condition household goods.

Yesterday just a few of the things we found were a pack of Scott toilet tissue perfectly wrapped in its packaging, 7 bags of Lindt chocolates, 3 Ghirardelli bags, and 3 Toblerone chocolates.  All perfectly good, unopened and unexpired. I'm guessing maybe it was leftover from Easter and Valentine's. 

There were also several bags in Easter packaging of York Peppermint Patties, various boxes and brands of Bandaids, a lint roller, Arizona ice tea, and much more. I tossed a couple items when I got home that were missing caps and cleaned off anything that may have gotten dirty.

The week before I scored Oreo cookies, a couple of boxes of Frosted Flakes cereal, and Chips Ahoy chocolate chip cookies. My kids were loving it because I never buy that stuff. I did manage to get one healthy item--Quaker multigrain cereal for me.  (I've been having it for breakfast since got it.)

Keep those eyes open. You never know what you'll find.

FREE Cone Day at Carvel - Thursday, April 30th

Get your free ice cream cone at Carvel this Thursday, April 30th from 3 pm to 8 pm.

Yummmm!!

Monday, April 27, 2015

FREE Comic Book Day - Saturday, May 2nd

Don't miss it. This Saturday, May 2nd is FREE Comic Book Day. My family loves it and looks forward to it every year.  The tradition started when the kids were little.  My husband was a big comic fan as a kid and wanted to share that with our kids. Plus, its a great way to encourage reading.  This year my husband has to work so he will go to comic book stores by his office. We will take NYC. 

The event is just what the name says--go to participating comic book stores and snag designated free comics. Special edition comics are printed for the occasion and that is what you choose from. 

Some some stores lay out the red carpet for you and some not so much.  In the past, my favorite stores have had cool giveaways, artists signing their work, and costumed superheros to greet you. But it's fun to go no matter what.  If we get duplicates, I give them to friends.

Check out freecomicbookday.com to find a location by you and map out the best route. Get there early if you can as the comics can go quickly.

Fun, fun, fun!

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Take Your Child To Work Day

Don't forget that tomorrow, Thursday, April 23rd is Take Your Child To Work Day.

Enjoy the special day.

Friday, April 17, 2015

FREE Performances at the David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center

Located across the street from the main Lincoln Center area, the David Rubenstein Atrium is a small but interesting space that offers free performances. I've been there and enjoyed the show!!

Check the calendar for the various shows offered.

Tribeca Film Festival Family Street Fair/ ESPN Sports Day

For years one of the highlights of the season for my family was the Tribeca Film Festival Family Street Fair with the ESPN Sports Fair.  Tons of cool entertainment, film screenings, crafts, sports activities, and givaways.

Come early since it gets very crowded. Officially its from 10AM to 6PM but it really winds down at the end.

Located from Hubert to Chamber Streets in Lower Manhattan.

Also check online for FREE screenings and fee based online and theater screenings too.

Tuesday, April 14, 2015

FREE Urban Gardening Info

I am a novice gardener and have found a love and appreciation for vegetables and herbs that I can grow myself.  However, I don't really know what I'm doing.  LOL.  Below are just two sources of gardening information that beginners (and not so beginners) may find useful.  The below has general info and NYC specific info (which I've had more difficult to finding).  Hope it is helpful to you.


The New York Botanical Garden is a wealth of knowledge.

Frequently Asked (Gardening) Questions section, listing of resources and info (similar but not the same as Grow NYC's) and a plant helpline (listed below) are all on the website.

Need plant help?
Contact the experts at:
(718) 817-8681
Mon.-Fri: 9:30 am-12:30 pm
Or email us anytime at:plantinfo@nybg.org

From GROW NYC:  City Lot Fact Sheets

FREE Stop 'N Swap Community Reuse Event

FREE stuff exchange.  Drop off your unwanted but usable items such as books, toys, clothes, housewares, etc.  No furniture or large items.  Take what you wish.  You do not need to bring something to take something.

Swaps are in all five boroughs beginning this Saturday in Queens.  Check GrowNYC.org for more info as how to start you own swap.

Bring a bag to carry home your treasures.

UPCOMING SWAPS


Saturday, April 18 - Queens
12pm-3pm, The Shops at Atlas Park
80-00 Cooper Avenue (map) (flier)

Sunday, April 19 - Manhattan
12pm-3pm, Two Bridges Tower
82 Rutgers Slip (map) (flier)

Thursday, April 23 - Brooklyn
12pm-3pm, Brooklyn Borough Hall
209 Joralemon Street (Drop off items from 8AM at theGreenmarket) (map) (flier)

Saturday, April 25 - Bronx
12pm-3pm, Westchester Square
2551 Westchester Ave (map) (flier)

Sunday, April 26 - Queens
11am-2pm, Central Queens Y
67-09 108th Street (67th Rd) (map) (flier)

Saturday, May 2 - Queens
12pm-3pm, PS 32
171-11 35th Ave (b/t 171st & 172nd Sts) (
map) (flier)

Saturday, May 9 - Queens
12pm-3pm, PS 69
77-02 37th Ave (map) (flier)


FREE Anti Prom

FREE Anti Prom for all teens, especially those not feeling like they fit into the norm (whatever that is).

Looks like a good time.

Friday, June 27th, 2015
6:30PM - 9PM

For more info check out NYPL.org/teens.  (While your at the website, check around for all sorts of cool teen programs and resources for teens.)

It doesn't have to cost a lot to have a great 11th birthday - Part One

My almost 11 year old daughter decided she wanted a sleepover birthday party.  We've done these before and sometimes they are overwhelming not to mention sleepless.
We decided on only a very few close friends, bought super cute goody bag gifts from the 99 cent store and Michael's discount section. We also made our own cake from scratch and the almost 11 year old decorated it. For the main course we had sushi which we made as an activity, largely because I was running out of time. LOL.  It worked out great.  I was shocked that all the girls like sushi and that none of them knew how to peel cucumber or cut an avocado.  Now they do.

Cheap & Effective Ring Cleaner

My engagement ring and wedding band are both made of yellow gold with diamonds.  Both rings were filthy and grey from dirt and grime.  I finally had enough and soaked them overnight in a solution of dish washing liquid and water.  This morning I spend a minute or so scrubbing them with a teeny brush left over from an old ring cleaning set (I bet a pipe cleaner would work great).  Now both rings sparkle!!!

This cost next to nothing and I didn't have to scour the internet to find a non corrosive formula (which I've tried in the past and failed).

FREE Ben and Jerrys Ice Cream TODAY

FREE Cone Day at your local Ben and Jerry Ice Cream shop from noon to 8PM.  Expect long lines.

Enjoy!!

It's been a while...

I've had so much going on lately that I couldn't adequately post. First my daughter's birthday party then the omnipresent Passover.  I will fill you in on all the details. Plus all sorts of regular stuff too. 

Friday, April 10, 2015

11th Birthday - Part Two

On the actual day of my daughter's 11th birthday she spent the day with dad.  That part is pretty typical since she is homeschooled.  But the special part was going to Hoboken, New Jersey to get a giant slice of pizza from Benny Tadino's then go to the place that started the Cake Boss fame, the original Carlos Bakery. She got pictures with one of the sisters featured on the show and saw several cast members working in the bakery.
At home we had tacos (her choice) birthday cake then the pasteries we bought at Carlos.  What a fun and special day.