Something Old, Something New, Something Deco

Grand Central, The Hyatt Hotel and Chrysler Building

Dear Postcards from New York Reader,

Oftentimes it happens when you least expect it. You're dashing by in a cab or running across a street when all of a sudden you capture a glimpse of something incredible, even spectacular. A juxtaposition of light and shade, a reflection in a window, an amazing angle of one building against another, or the way the sky at a particular time of day illuminates interesting elements of architecture.

When it happens you know you have just experienced "a New York moment," something that could not take place in any other city of the world, only here, amidst this amazing and diverse collection of architectural styles tightly fitted in a confined area.

Sadly, sometimes it is not until we loose something that we appreciate a special moment often ignored or taken for granted.

Last week, without warning a massive pipeline exploded in the center of the city one block from Grand Central Station and conjured up memories of 911 and the World Trade Center disaster before our eyes. Terrified people ran in horror leaving shoes and bags behind to escape the hailstorm of rubble that rained from the eruption that looked more like an explored bomb than a steam gusher.

Within minute's police cars and fire-trucks from every part of town were on the scene and an area from Madison Avenue to 2nd Avenue for many blocks was corded off. Security was tight while alarmed citizens watched men clad in hazmat suits (hazard gear) complete with full face mask begin the work of clean up.

For almost a week, 42nd Street was closed to pedestrian traffic; so today, I gaze with particular relish at an only in New York scene I hope you will not take for granted.

Stand on the corner of 42nd Street and Madison Avenue, preferably on the Southwest Side of the street at noon or midday and look upward on your left toward Grand Central Station. See if you can capture the silhouette of Mercury's body and the turn of the Last Century Beaux-Art Architecture reflected in the dark black glass of the Hyatt Hotel. Now raise your eyes and notice how the gleaming laser sharp point of the Chrysler Building appears ready to pierce the sky, or at the very least write its signature.

Umm! What an image.

Jacqueline Cable
For Postcards from New York

P.S. Just click directly on the photograph to see the buildings enlarged.


Address to remember: Madison Avenue and 42nd Street.

Directions: From Times Square MTA 7 or S to Grand Central Station a short walk to Madison Avenue.


Photo by Joseph Knight

©Copyright 2007 The Cable Group

While you are Waiting

787 Seventh Avenue

Dear Postcard from New York Reader,

With the heat index over 100 degrees; no one needs the weatherman's confirmation, that we are officially in a heatwave.

Oppressive humidity and suffocating temperatures have descended on us just as the tourist season kicks into high gear. Streets teaming with people and buses packed to capacity are evidence that the weak dollar has made our city even more than usual, an attractive tourist destination.

Who is the great beneficiary of this boon? The theatre houses around town of course; This is Broadway's most lucrative season. If you plan to see the following shows: Hairspray, Jersey Boys, Wicked, The Color Purple, 110 in the Shade, Mamma Mia, or Spelling Bee, and happen to show up early; Instead of waiting around on the street, escape the heat and give yourself a rare treat.

Just one block over from David Letterman's Studio on Broadway and 53rd Street, on 52nd Street and Seventh Avenue, in the lobby of 787 7th, you'll find Roy Lichtenstein's 70 feet wonder, Mural with Blue Brushstroke, in an atrium like space open to the public.

So often, large-scale works by contemporary artists are seen best in open, airy corporate spaces instead of museums. This is particularly true when the architect designs with the artwork in mind, as is the case here.

By far Lichtenstein's largest work, Mural with Blue Brushstroke was commissioned by The Equitable Insurance Company, now AXA, to compliment the Whitney Museums Collection , which originally occupied the two galleries facing Seventh Avenue.

It is quite a marvel, whether you have only five minutes to steal a glance or can stay and enjoy it longer.

Jacqueline Cable
For Postcards from New York

P.S. For Kids. Just a reminder, Disney's long running Beauty and the Beast will close on July 29th. Don't miss the last chance to see a heartwarming performance that delights both kinds and adults.

Address to remember: 787 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10019

Directions: From Times Square MTA 1 train to 50th Street or from Avenue of the Americas and 42nd Street, Bus M5, M6 or M7 to 50th Street. Walk to Seventh Avenue and two blocks to 52nd Street.

Photo by Joseph Knight

© Copyright 2007 The Cable Group.

Bryant Park in Bloom

View from the Terrace Cafe

Dear Postcards from New York Reader,

Spring never arrived. Winter hung on for an unusually long time, now all of a sudden the heat is upon us. New Yorker’s have quickly abandoned hats, coats and scarves for beach wear, sandals and flip flops. Overnight trees blossomed from bare branches to provide a welcome oasis and parks filled with people reading newspapers, playing chess, eating, chatting or just sitting in quite reflection.

Bryant Park on 42nd Street behind the New York Public Library has long been a lunchtime refuge for corporate employees working in the area and students from the State University of New York School of Optometry across the street.

Years ago, from my office in the AT&T Building (now Verizon) on Avenue of the Americas, I looked down upon the park and realized the geometrically laid our spaces for grass and trees was deliberately designed to compliment the architecture of the Library. From my high vantage point, it was immediately evident the early 20th century building was planned to replicate a Italian Renaissance or Baroque Palazzo (Palace) with the requisite landscaped garden to provide a pastoral retreat from city life.

The parks tranquil beauty, café umbrellas, comfortable chairs and tables make it an ideal location for a picnic. Invite a friend to meet you for lunch or after work for a short visit. You can pick up everything you need close-by. Select a bottle of chilled wine from a wide variety at Park Ave Wines and Spirits, 292 Madison Avenue, between 40th and 41st. Then, stop by Zeytinz, direcly across from the Park on 40th St, for fruit, crackers, sandwiches, breadsticks and of course cheese. One nice touch, they have a place where you can wash the fresh fruit.

Monday evenings in the summer the Park becomes the “place to be” when HBO sponsors a Summer Film Festival. Thousands of New Yorker's with picnic baskets and hampers in all shapes and sizes come out to eat, lounge on the grass and toast glasses of wine. Plan now to join the party next Monday night, June 18th, when the Festival opens with one my favorite “New York” movies, Woody Allen’s funny, charming and unforgettable Annie Hall.

Other classics on this summer's menu include: The Sting, Psycho, and Casablanca. Click here for dates and check out the many events from Yoga and Tai Chi, knitting, poetry readings and jazz concerts that keep Bryant Park a buzz with activity from early morning to late night.

Jacqueline Cable
For Postcards from New York

P.S. Want to feel like you are sitting under the trees? Click directly on the photograph and see what happens.


Addresses to remember:

Bryant Park, 42nd Street and Avenue of the Americas. Visit web site to learn more about the parks beautiful flower arrangements, events like free tai chi classes, music and dance performances, poetry and book readings http://www.bryantpark.org/.

Zeytinz, 24 West 40th Street,http://www.zeytinz.com/, 212-575-8080.

Park Ave Wine and Spirits, 292 Madison Avenue, between 40 and 41st Street, 212-685-2442, http://www.parkaveliquor.com/.

Directions: From Times Square MTA A, E, C, 1, 2, 3, 7, S, R, N, Q or Grand Central Station 4, 5, 6, 7, and S, a short walk to Avenue of the Americas.

Photo by Joseph Knight

© Copyright 2007 The Cable Group.


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