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.

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!!

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!

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.