An associate from the Goldman Sachs Group Inc. ran up the Empire State Building in Midtown Manhattan, in order to raise money for charity. Brian Kuritzky’s 320 meter feet climb from the lobby to observation deck raised $20, 000 for the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation…and he did it twice! This was the second consecutive year Kuritzky got involved in this venture, having raised $85,000 last year. Organized by the New York Road Runners, this event has been happening since 1978 and has participants from a variety of countries such as New Guinea, Israel and Japan.
Category: Shimmie Horn
Culture in New York
At the end of last month, a culture program was organized by the Vietnamese Culture & Education (IVCE) in New York. It was to mark the Asian Lunar New Year and took place at the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH). It formed part of the festival program for the Asian New Year. So for anyone who wants to learn a bit about Asian culture, and find themselves in the area, this would have been quite a unique event. Participants could enjoy the Ao Dai Fashion show, the Dong Ho Folk Painting & Calligraphy exhibition and more. And they did since the event attracted more than 500 US and Vietnamese guests.
Pasta for Expensive Tastes
Pasta is usually a relatively cheap way to eat. But it can also be surprisingly expensive. Especially if one chooses the special pasta dish on offer at Midtown Manhattan’s BiCE restaurant, close to Shimmie Horn’s Iroquois Hotel. Indeed, ordering one of their pasta dishes can set one back $2,013! Apparently it is made from mixed wild mushrooms, 2 pound lobster, shaved seasonal black truffles. It arrives on a Limited Edition Gianni Versace Bice plate, which was made specifically for Bice 7 months before the death of Gianni Versace and is signed and numbered. The guest even gets to take it home.
Given that the place is worth a mere$350, this means the guest is still paying a staggering $1,663 for the food. Quite pricey for a bit of pasta.
The Frick Collection
For those who want to partake in a bit of culture on their next trip to New York, they should pay a visit to the Portico Gallery. Situated at 1 East 70th Street, close to some of the city’s most luxurious hotels including The Iroquois, The Pierre, or the Surrey Hotel, the museum and library have a lot to offer to both the tourist and veteran New Yorker. Currently on display until January 27th, is the “Frick Collection: Mantegna to Matisse: Master Drawings from the Courtauld Gallery.” This is a display of 58 pieces from a London museum and art history institute, covering the Renaissance, Baroque as well as modern periods. Also enjoy Pontormo, Michaelangelo, Rubens, Rembrandt and more.
Recent Manhattan Excitement
Manhattan encountered a wonderful slice of excitement last week as baby Nassim decided to enter the world – 6 weeks prematurely – at the Holland Tunnel. The event has since been dubbed “the light at the end of the Holland Tunnel.”
Parents-to-be Abdel Elkarhat and Soukaina Nekhlaoui of Lodi, New Jersey, were en route to a Brooklyn hospital for the premature birth when contractions intensified, leading Elkarhat to pull over by the side of the tunnel for the baby’s unexpected fast delivery. Understandably, first time father was reported to have been “really frantic.”
Even though the news is often filled with the craziness of goings-on in the Big Apple, this heart-warming story really shows that there is also potential to encounter a beaming “light at the end of the tunnel” as well.
Things to Do in NYC on New Year’s
There’s probably no more exciting place to be on New Year’s than in New York City, the City that Never Sleeps. Whether you are there on business, vacationing at one of Shimmie Horn’s luxurious Triumph Hotels, or happen to be privileged enough to live in the Big Apple, why not make 2013 the year opening to remember, by getting tickets to the Times Square Party?
Pass prices for the 10th annual event range from $235 for standard fare from 9pm, to $295 from 7pm. Each add-on (for various dinner packages) is $55. The After Parties Party Pass which gives one complimentary admission to any of the Official NYE 2013 After Parties. These commence at approximately 2am and usually cost around $35 for entrance. The Parties All Access Party Pass gives one admission to some of the city’s most exclusive clubs, lounges and restaurants. For partying in “green” style, check out Greenhouse which is both the city’s Premiere Nightlife Destination and first ever eco-friendly nightclub. There are over 10 after parties to choose from with this pass.
And of course, while in town, check out the crystal ball drop with its “lucky” Number 13. Tim Hopkins is not concerned about the traditional unluckiness associated with the number claiming “we think 2013 will be an amazing year.” Well, for those seeing it start in NYC, it probably will.
Pedicabs for Tourists
Tourists anywhere in the world are, unfortunately, a prime target for getting taken advantage of. Whether it is at market stores, negotiating with street vendors, or even taking a cab ride, tourists have a generally harder time staying on a budget than locals. However, there is now good news for those who happen to be taking a vacation in New York, perhaps staying at Shimmie Horn’s Washington Jefferson Hotel, Gramercy Park Hotel, or The Jane Hotel. The city’s local council just approved new regulations for pedicabs in the area, with the specific goal of safeguarding tourists against greedy, unethical cab drivers. Pedicab drivers are now being legally requested to charge their customers by the minute, with the timer clearly visible.
Until now, it has been more common for pedicab drivers to charge per city block and passenger, with some even putting on additional fees and surcharges. There was one dreadful case a few months ago of a Texan family paying over $400 for a 14-block ride. Now, with the new pedicab law, this issue just will not arise.
Hurricane Sandy Relief
MoRUS – the Museum of Reclaimed Urban Space in New York – is exhibiting works of art from the Occupy Wall Street movement (OWS) for community service. It is intended that monies raised from this exhibition will be put toward Hurricane Sandy Relief. MoRus is also working with squat residents to rescue items that have been flooded, such as a bike generator that OWS members use during their sit-ins. Currently, the bike is being used to enable the community to access free mobile phone charging. The museum said: “MoRUS has set up Occupy Wall Street bike generators on Avenue C between 9th and 10th Streets. For the past two days, volunteer riders have been pedaling as crowds of people gather to charge up their cell phones. For many people, this has been the first time they’ve been able to contact loved ones after Hurricane Sandy hit.” Clearly organizations and individuals in the Big Apple are banding together to help post-Hurricane Sandy.
Pâtisserie François Payard
Pâtisserie François Payard has just returned to the Upper East Side. Payard is now located on 74th Street. So for those in the area – perhaps staying at Shimmie Horn’s Hotel Chandler – it is worth checking out this stunning space with a scrumptious line of chocolate bonbons; sweet and salty macaroons (in flavors like Squid Ink with Cream Cheese and Olive Tapenade), and attractive petits gâteaux. As well, customers will be able to choose from the large savory menu. According to Payard, “we worked on the line for a long time, since a year ago. And I designed the shop myself. It’s all about elegance and beauty. A pastry chef is more than a chef, we’re very artistic people.” Sounds heavenly.
Dining in Hell’s Kitchen?
For those staying in Shimmie Horn’s luxurious Washington Jefferson Hotel, they might want to take a night out to eat somewhere a little bit different. Well, soon, they might be able to do just that – at Hell’s Kitchen – as, from next month, Stage 48 and Z Bar Restaurant and Sky Lounge will be open to the public. Measuring 30,000 square feet, it will be offer live entertainment; full-restaurant and glass rooftop lounge between four floors. Chef Ricardo Cardona will serve Nuevo Latino cuisine.