Soiree in New York City: A Retrospective: Come share the adventures!

[ginny]

September 8-12, 2010
Everyone is invited!  

Autumn in New York, (are you singing?) What could be finer?

Based on the resounding success of our 10th Anniversary Gathering in NYC in 2008, we thought we'd try it again!~

Our Hotel: The Leo House:  "The Little Heart in the  Big City," with the best rates you'll find anywhere.

Hotel Information and Rates

Garden at the Leo House

If you are a Latin student, come meet some of  your classmates, for a fun filled day or  weekend:

Classics Students at the Met, NYC 2008

Brief  Schedule Outline
See below for details and plan to join us:

                

Sept 8th-Wednesday: --Contact: Ann for details. Ann  plans for us to meet at the Fraunces Tavern Museum at 3pm.  When the museum closes at 5pm, we'll walk to the Bridge Cafe, also historic,  for dinner. Our reservation is for 6 pm.  Fraunces Tavern is  where George Washington and his generals met after or during the Revolution.   The Bridge Cafe

Thursday 9/9: --LucyLibr--plans a cruise on the Hudson. Contact: Lucy for details.

Friday 9/10  

Morning at the Met:

9:30: Note new time! Join us for a private tour of the Met with Assisted Listening Devices on the topic The History of Book Binding, Books, Illuminated Manuscripts and Related Works.  Free to SeniorLearn, only 4 slots remaining!

---Followed by Lunch in the Atrium Cafe under the glass.

---Followed by a short seque  open to all to see the  Cubiculum of Villa of P. Fannius Synistor, and the Monteleone Chariot! See email.

---After Lunch: Free Afternoon at Leisure
 

Saturday 9/11:  Our First Author's Tea at the award winning  Sarabeth's, see below! -

Sunday 9/12


Alf is planning a Surprise Venue for Breakfast!   Contact: Andrea   for details.

Those wanting to go to Ellis Island will convene in the Lobby of the Leo. As an alternative, Ann plans a trip to the Tenement Museum. OR just do your own thing! Contact: ginny for details.

Other Enticements:


Pedl'n plans a day at the newest NYC park, the High Line.    http://www.thehighline.org/ Contact: Pedln for details.



Eloise will be our Coordinator  daily at Breakfast at the Leo House. She will   be at the cafeteria for an hour to take messages and keep everybody informed on what is happening on that day.


Additional Possibilities:
The short terms, unscheduled -- High Line Park, with maybe a visit to Chelsea Market nearby, Union Square,  The Strand,  Chelsea Market,  shopping,  Tenement House  and Museum, Botanical Gardens, Etaly if open, a Broadway Show, Algonquin or Chelsea Hotels, concerts, opera, bus tour of NYC, etc.

Monday 9/13: : Travel Day:  Departure


New!!


9/11: Our  First Ever Author Tea at Sarabeth's on Central Park between 5th and 6th Avenue:  This is our room!

Join us on September 11 in this award winning restaurant looking out on the Park for one of their famous Teas, at less than half price, $10 only, no tax, and enjoy meeting our authors, Bruce Frankel,  and Maryann McFadden:


"I can think of no writer I'd rather have sing me songs of the sea, even sad ones, than Maryann McFadden."---Anne Rivers Siddons
We'll be discussing Maryann McFadden's book,  here on SeniorLearn beginning August 15 - at
"So Happy Together" Join us today!

Bruce Frankel’s book, "What Should I Do With the Rest of My Life" is inspirational!  "This upbeat, inspiring, timely book shows how taking a risk and fighting to find a passionate career — at any age — can reinvigorate your life...”— Susan Shapiro
Come join Bruce now - and be inspired!  
Talking Heads ~ "What Should I Do With the Rest of My Life"

Contact: Ann today to secure your place at the table!  We have only a few seats left!~  Don't miss this one!!

See information about reservations at the LEO HOUSE. Deadline to reserve your accommodations is June 15!

Questions about the gathering? Contact: Ann

As a New Yorker would say, "What's not to like?"  

Join us if you can, you'll never forget it!

Sign in here and help us plan what you want to see and do!



Transportation:


Plan Your Trip!

"For a map go to MTA NYC Transit and look at the subway system map. It gives you an idea of how the city is laid out, east and west on either side of the Hudson.  You are staying on west side which is where the cruise port and Times Square are. I use Mapquest for specific locations like the Tenement Museum the other night." (Lucy)

Click to see the weather in NYC:

http://www.wunderground.com/US/NY/New_York.html 

[/center]

[ginny]

That's a good point, happily we don't have any particular deadline to fill so we can catch any of the boats, let's find out how long it takes, it may take forever.

Thank you for the info also on the diner, is that the one we discussed a lot last time before we went? It might come in handy one evening too. I hope somebody will go with me to the mom  n pop Italian place right next door one evening also.

As we say we can't do it all. Let's try. haahaha

We now have another Broadway Show on offer for people who might like to take in one,  also in addition to the  Viagra thing Andrea is going to, and the Million Dollar Quartet on the 10th,  and that's the Lion King.  This one would be at night, either 8 pm Thursday, Saturday at 8 pm  or  the 11th or  6:30 pm Sunday, let me know if you're interested in going with us and we'll collectively choose a date.

We have also a new calendar up top, view at your own peril. hahahaha

[ANNIE]

Ginny,
There are four of us going to see Quartet---You, me, Andrea and Mary.  He better show up!!
Mary and I have seats up in the crow's nest so you won't be waving at us.  We are Row NN Seats 15,17.  Those were the cheapest seats availble.
That diner is probably just fine.  There is a corner resturant that we pass as we go to the diner.  Their food is very good but they always seem to have a crowd.  You can see the people in there as one of the sections is right out on the sidewalk under glass.

[ALF43]

Well I am in the nose bleed section 00107- with a slight revision of that # I could be a James Bond wanna BE.

[ANNIE]

Andrea,
You are one row down from Mary and I, but on the right side of the mezzanine.  The crow's nest!

Please read this to make sure you are on the list for The Fraunces Museum on Sept 8 at 3pm
With 6pm reservations at the Bridge Cafe:

Museum is located at 54 Pearl St

Ginny
Andrea
Mary
Ann
Pedl'n
Lucy
Gay
Zulema
Suzanne
Vivan

We can walk to the Bridge Cafe

[/b]

[ANNIE]

Again, make sure you are on this list and let me know if you aren't.

Sarabeth's
 
40 Central Park South

Sept 11 4pm-6pm-------17 attendees

Maryann McFadden
Bruce Frankel

Ginny                
Andrea
Mary
Ann
Pedl'n
Liz
Judy
Gay
Lucy
JoanR
Meg
Vivian
Suzanne
Zulema
Eloise

[Eloise]

Annie, you have Gay on twice.

For the Lion King I like the Sunday 6:30 show even if there could be lots of children, they are the most attentive audience as they get right into it. But any other time is fine for me too. Saturday we have Sarabeth till 6, or later though. Will I go home in several pieces? 

[ginny]

Actually Saturday we have Sarabeth's ONLY until 6, they then begin the dinner trade, so we will have to leave, so we'll have to sandwich in our two authors, a group picture and a tea in those two hours.

On Sunday we'll be at Ellis Island, those going to a 6:30 show will have to leave early, to get there.

Ann, be  funny if he doesn't show up!

Anybody else for The Lion King at 6:30 Sunday?

[ANNIE]

Eloise,

Thanks again for telling me about the 2 Gays.  Maybe they are twins?? hahaha!

Ginny,

We are the last diners in Sarabeth's because they have a Saturday Brunch which usually means they aren't going to be very busy after 4pm except with people like us.  They do not offer dinner on Sat. night according to Michelle.

[ginny]

Ok, good, are you saying then that we CAN linger on beyond 6? This is not what I understood. Can you find out? Long enough to take a group photo? I remember the Armory had something of the sort too, and we ran over and they actually began taking out the tables and the piano, so let's be clear on when we have to leave?

[pedln]

Ann, regarding the Wednesday activities.  I will NOT be at the Museum because my plane doesn't land until 2:40, and I may be a little late for dinner, depending on airplane time, etc.  And I do want to check in first at Leo as I don't want to carry a laptop, CPAP, and suitcase downtown.

Andy, make sure they know I'm your roommate so they'll let me in.  I'll take a cab down to dinner.

[ALF43]

Trust me Ann- After my lengthy conversations with the Leo house this week, they will remember.  Rest assured, however, that when I get in I will remind them once again.

[pedln]

Did you ask if these were there also?     

New York's Latest


I'm so glad my roomie's a nurse.

[ginny]

Yikes!

Lucy has been the biggest help and the most patient to my incessant email queries about directions and transportation!!

You may not be from NYC, and I hope you have a better sense of direction than I do, I get lost leaving my own house, but I hope she doesn't mind, here are a few things she's told me lately which I needed to know and thought you might like too.

First off, remember the song Downtown? I've always been confused in NYC what was downtown.  Or uptown. It seems that it's a very simple concept, Doofus:

 Everybody SING: When you're alone and life is making you lonely, you can always go....
DOWNTOWN



Times Square (42nd) TO 23rd is DOWN town.  When you go from a higher to a lower numbered street, you are going DOWNtown, from lower to higher is UPtown.  Brooklyn from Manhattan is downtown.

No wonder I can't get it straight, I thought DOWN town was a specific  AREA, like Times Square, so that (how dumb am I) no matter WHERE you were it was always DOWNTOWN. OK so now I've got DOWNtown. Since I don't live where the nearest city HAS a downtown, this is news.

Subway #1, will take you DOWN TOWN and UPTOWN easily, it's handy, about a half block away: right up at the corner (we're on 23rd between 7th and 8th but if you turn RIGHT upon exiting the Leo House, that cross street you see closest is 7th). There's one entrance on the right, but I don't recall if it's to DOWN or UP, we'll suss it out. I will say it's UP that will make it DOWN, such is my life o orientation.

The 7th Avenue Subway will take you direct to Times Square (UPTOWN)) or South Ferry Seaport (DOWNTOWN)  (Lucy, please correct this) and is most handy for fast getting thru the city. Remember there are cabs easily caught in front of the Leo with or without the light on from the hotel, just step out with arm raised, and in Times Square under the Mariott Marquis covered drive in garage.

The Met of course is WAY UPtown, being on 81st and 82nd, where Times Square is somewhere around  42nd, 43rd, 44th. In that area.

Here's the best thing I ever saw, Lucy sent this:  plan your own trip in NYC, where has this been all our lives?

http://tripplanner.mta.info/_start.aspx

I'm going to put that in the heading.

Ann, if you can find a link to the weather forecast you want, I'll put it in the heading too.

Exciting!!!!  Thank you Lucy!

Of all the subway systems I've traveled on in Europe or the USA, the one in NYC is the most confusing and least well marked. There are something like 11 subways operating out of 42nd Street, it will be good to know since we're #! among sites for Seniors, we need #1. At least it is for me.

[ginny]

I also want to say the lobby of the Mariott Marquis hotel which is on the 8th floor I think (just taking the elevators there is a trip, you punch in the floor you want and this indicator tells you which elevator to take, it's a hoot), anyway you can sit in a sort of bar area way to the left beyond the check in desk,  and look straight down at the street and kill an hour or so looking at Times Square for the price of a coke.

[ANNIE]

Here a link that is pretty thorough.    http://www.wunderground.com/

[ginny]

Thanks, up in the heading it goes!

[Eloise]

Oh! Times Square, how we hear about it. I have been there once about 10 years ago.

I understand you perfectly well Ginny not having a good sense of orientation myself, but I was born and raised in Montreal and I use the subway at least once a week. We have a downtown, but it's more the center of the city than 'up' or 'down' because of, I guess the geography. Our 'Metro' subway works by color, the green line is east west, the orange line is north south and north again, a sort of U. Then you have the blue line is east west but at a distance from the green line. It's fast, clean and safe. I came home day before yesterday at midnight, it was full, I am never scared of going by Metro.

For the New York subway do you use coins like on buses? I guess I can get coins at the Penn Station when I arrive even if I will take a cab to get to the Leo.

It's great to have the weather forecast in the heading, that way I will know not to pack too many things just because of what the weather might be like during 5 days. Thanks for putting it up there.

[ALF43]

Bedbugs, once nearly eradicated, have spread across New York City, in part because of the decline in the use of DDT.

I carry my own Ann.

[ALF43]

IF ANYONE IS BRINGING THEIR LAPTOP PLEASE COPY THAT URL gINNY HAS GIVEN US.

[Lucylibr]

The directions Ginny has given look correct to me.  The farthest reach of an uptown train is the Bronx as Brooklyn is the fathest downtown. I mention them only because you see them on signs--and can tell instantly in which direction you are going.

The bus that goes by the hotel is the M20. Bus stops include a map of where bus is going, but I ask if I'm not sure when I get on.

Any question you want answered, ask!  If I don't know I will ask Bob who knows buses and subways very well.

I am wondering what you want to do after the cruise on Thursday and if you still want to go on the early morning ship.  I am planning to come early for breakfast at the Leo, which I missed last time, but there is planty of time to make changes and no need to decide right now.

[Lucylibr]

Coins are good on the bus, but you need a metro card for the subway.  I suggest buying one with a few rides if you think you will be riding the subway. They are available in machines at all (I think) subway stations.  You can use an ATM card or a credit card or cash. You have to go to the ticket booth (many of these have been eliminated in NYC) to get a so-called senior fare, which consists of a regular metro card plus a slip of paper which you can show to a clerk who will let you through the gate marked special on your next ride.

[pedln]

These same Metro Cards are good on the bus, are they?

I probably will not use the subways that much unless I know ahead of time that there is an elevator to the platform.  So, if time is of the essence, I will probably take a cab when you all take the subway.  Or a bus.

[ginny]

Well I hate to say it, but I'm the original cab freak, will hail one and get in it at the drop of a hat,  but I want to know the subway to our door just in case like  at night you can't find a cab back, which has happened to me many times trying to get back. And once going TO, some of the cabbies don't like to drive to Times Square either.

NYC subways are not like other cities I have seen, there are a LOT of steps, they are dirty (sorry New Yorkers) crowded and unpleasant. But apparently the 7th line has the least graffiti. I don't mind the ambiance because I grew up in Philly with the same kind of subways but anybody expecting something modern or clean or without a million steps in crowded areas needs to think again.

[ANNIE]

Ah, the subway.  Your remarks, Ginny, made me remember what happened to Mary in one down by Wall Street.  She started through a revolving gate and it stopped before she could get all the way around.  There she was, stuck down below the streets of NYC and it was not late, maybe 8pm but no one was around to help us.  Along comes a guy who was also planning to be on the same train that we were.  He offered to swipe his card and get in the same door with Mary so she could get out.  AND IT WORKED! We did have to kind of ignore him when he tried to be friendly and we had thanked him profusely, but we were not trusting that he would  go away if we acted too nice.  

I have some pictures of the subway stations at the Natural History Museum, the Brooklyn Art Museum and one other that we found after leaving Macy's in the dark.  They were pretty clean and the murals were beautiful!  

[Lucylibr]

Yes, the Metro card is good for both buses and subways.  The subways are getting dirtier becasue of the budget problems. The MTA is constantly running low on funds--can't manage their accounting. Another fare increase on the way. But the fact that they get you everywhere and run all the time endears them to me.

[ANNIE]

Lucy,
I am sorry to hear that but budget problems are affecting us all.

[ginny]

Thank you SO much Lucy for all your help!

 Ann, every time I think of the NYC subways I think of "The A Train is the A Train," which was the response you got  when you asked a man on some  subway platform which was  the best train to the Cloisters.  hahaha. That, to me, is quintessential  New York.

Have laughed about that ever since, and of course he was right.

I've got my Broadway tickets in  hand, they came yesterday, and am ready to go!! What last minute details do we need to do before we leave?

What last minute exciting things have popped up in NYC we want to know about? Is Eataly open yet?  This is the 25th, it must be any day now. But the Chelsea Market will also be splendid!

Can't wait to see you all, this is SOO  exciting!!

I think I'll reread Reliquary. It's not for the squeamish or faint hearted, I hasten to add, but  I love Preston and Childs. Their book Relic is about the Museum of Natural History on Central Park and is DEFINITELY not for the squeamish, but Reliquary even I thought was over the top, I mean an abandoned subway station under  NYC? I mean really, and then I found out the station so carefully detailed was real. Reading the MTA site is very educational. Again it's horror but boy you feel you've definitely had  a  trip there.

What have we left out?

[ANNIE]

I received questions from Alf today about the museum and cafe on the first night of our get together  and here's my answer to her.

This is the plan:  We can meet at the Fraunces Tavern Museum around 3 or 4pm and when it closes at 5pm, we will saunter up to the Bridge Cafe where we have a reservation for 6pm.  
If one doesn't want to go to the museum, one can just meet us at the Bridge Cafe at 6pm.

Here's the list of who's going where and when.
Ginny--
Andrea
Gay--Those three are arriving at the Leo together in the afternoon.

Ann--
Mary--We will be out about because we arrived on Tuesday so just plan on meeting with whoever wants to see the Fraunces Tavern Museum at 3pm.

Pedl'n--gets to the Leo around 4pm and the trio who are getting there about 2 or later, have offered to wait for her to get ready to go and then they will only go the Bridge Cafe.

Lucy
Vivian
Zulema
Suzanne--I don't know where they are coming from or whether they will go to the museum.

I need to know who is going to the museum so I know who to look for.  Can you please let me know if I have included everyone for the Sept 8th afternoon and evening plans?

I have tried twice to contact the museum and will do so again.  I want to know how long the exhibits will take to peruse.  It may only take and hour and I will let everyone know before we  leave home.

[Eloise]

I made my own schedule Ginny so I can see better what free time I have left and I only see two places, it's Friday afternoon after the Met and Saturday morning and early afternoon before the Tea at Serabeth. Pedln was talking about The Strand and High Line and Andrea about seeing St. Patricks, or St. John the Divine that I would like to see. But all that is still loose and can change up to the last minute.

[ginny]

Eloise, what about Thursday afternoon, that's only  a 3 hour cruise or do you have plans then?

[ginny]

Actually I see free time Thursday Friday, Saturday and Sunday; each have a half day free.

[Lucylibr]

I went to the King Tut exhibit today in Times Square. Admission is $30 for seniors with tax, a ticket that includes Top of the Rock, $39.  I suspect there are big crowds on weekends. There is also a movie for an extra price which I did not inquire about. There are videos and films throughout the exhibit that show much about the excavation--people in suits and ties carrying things out of the dig in 1922. I know most people have already seen Tut, because it traveled around several years ago, but I had not and enjoyed this very much. There is a chariot, apparently used by the young king, and much larger than the Roman one on view at the Met.

[Eloise]

No definite plans yet Ginny, I think it's Lucy who said it would be good to take bus tour of Manhattan after the cruise, which most of you have probably seen already. The only difficult thing for me to do alone would be transportation in a city I don't know my way around but I'll go anywhere on the list of things to do with somebody else. I am so excited to do this trip with you all you have no idea how much.

Sunday we have Ellis Island in AM and Lion King in PM, then there is FOOD to consider in between or go and freshen up at the hotel. We could go to the Marquis for something to eat before the theatre and it's close if I am not mistaken, correct me if I am wrong. After Lion King I will be ready to flop in bed as I will leave the next morning to catch my train at 8:15. I'll bring a pillow for the long train ride home.

[pedln]

Ginny and Andy, that's lovely of you to say you'll wait for me at Leo HOuse on Wednesday.  I don't want to make you all late for anything, nor do I want you to miss the Fraunces Museum on my account.  Plane lands at 2:40, surely I can be at Leo by 4, even with all my encumberances -- laptop (for use in Brooklyn), walker, CPAP, and the Kindle which was shipped today.

I've never been to the Empire State Building.  That might be on my list for one of the free afternoons. Anybody game or has everyone been there?  Am trying to work up a schedule.  Also must get serious about writing down places and addresses.

This place sounds like it might be a nice place to relax after dinner with one of those yummy dolled up coffees to watch the lights come on.

Top of the Strand

Or this one that's actually in Chelsea

Glass Bar at the Hotel Indigo

[Eloise]

Updated list of all the things we can do    I will consider myself lucky if I can do 3 of those.

The Strand  - 
Book Store in Grewich Village 
Top of the Rock,  Times Square.
Marquis Hotel Revolving Restaurant
Tenement Museum and Book store
Ellis Island
St. Patrick’s Cathedral
High Line Park
Chelsea Market
Cloisters
Foreign films
Guggenheim

Museum of Modern Art
Bus tour of Manhattan 
Ground Zero
Broadway Show
Off Broadway show
Union Square
Lunch at Eataly
Window shopping on Broadway
Greenwich Village bookstore 
TV show

Skating rink
The Museum of the American Indian
Morgan Library
St. John the Divine Cathedral
St. Thomas Church
Million Dollar Quartet
Top of the Strand
Glass Bar at Hotel Indigo

[ginny]

The Empire State Building is all over the news lately, I've been several times so will pass but it's quite a trip up to the top if you don't have claustrophobia, so many things to do, so little time, and REMEMBER, just REMEMBER we don't NEED to kill ourselves, it's sometimes the small quiet moments you remember best.

And I guess if people really want to disembark and see the Statue of LIberty they better do it, it appears it's about to close for major repairs...in October?

I saw the Tut and it was fabulous, thank you for reminding us, Lucy. Where is it located on Times Square? I can't picture where it is? The old  Virgin store?

They've also put a new sort of food court down from Times Square, down from the Milford Plaza, or they had, just local food, nothing fabulous.

[ginny]

And the last night's Lion King at 6:30 Sunday!

[ALF43]

Wow what a list we have compiled for our venture into the city.  I am getting so excited now that it is closer.  
Pedln- I have been to the Empire State Bldg. numerous times but would love one of the roof tops you suggested.  Heck we could walk to the one on w. 28th.
Here's another one if we want to just snack and not go for the big meal.

sipping and enjoying the lights of the city

I, too, have seen the Tut exhibit and just found out this AM that our play for the Sunday matinee will close after this weekend.  Damn!!!  Ok what else shall I plan?

[Lucylibr]

King Tut exhibit is on 44th Street between 7th and 8th Avenues, open 7 days a week from 10-8 p.m. and Saturday till 9:00 p.m.

A good restaurant in Times Square is Juniors, a Brooklyn company, famous for cheesecake, on 46th opposite Marquis Hotel.

Cruise times are 10:00, 12:30, and 3:30.  Have you decided on time and what you want to do after?  We liked the late afternoon cruise, and we got finished at a good time to have dinner.  It's up to you.  I have a friend who is interested in SeniorLearn and would like to go on cruise and to High Line if it's okay with everyone. It's quite alright if she does not get to go.