Christmas in New York with Kids

Take a photo with Princess Diana

----New York for Kids Part 6 ----

Dear Postcards from New York Reader,

While doing the research for the soon to be released "New York Get There 1-2-3" (every week there is another delay), I discovered several terrific places to take kids that are open everyday of the year, including Christmas Day! Wonderful news for those who don't celebrate Christmas and something for parents to keep in their back pocket after the gifts have been unwrapped and the thrill of new toys, gadgets and computer games have worn off. Here are three I think are great fun.

• Madame Tussauds - The grand dame of Wax Museums. From experience, I can report the wax figures are as engaging to adults as kids. Just off Times Square you have a choice of major fast food restaurants close by.
  
  
• The Observatory at the Empire State Building - Although a must for tourists, it is amazing how many people who live here have never been up. Enjoy a spectacular view from every angle, you won't want to come down.
  
  
• FAO Schwartz - Can you believe it? Open on Christmas Day in the event that there is some little person you forgot on your Christmas list and you are expected for dinner later in the evening. This wonderland of toys is guaranteed to keep the whole family, from preschoolers to grandparents, absorbed for hours.

Hate to keep teasing you, but you will find several more terrific spots open everyday of the year in "New York Get There 1-2-3," look for an upcoming announcement on how Postcard Readers can get their copy "Free."

Jacqueline Cable

For Postcards from New York

Addresses and Directions to Remember:

Madame Tussauds, 234 West 42nd St. between 7th & 8th Ave., New York, NY 10036, 212, http://www.madametussauds.com/. From Times Square MTA walk wone half block west. Something to consider next year, throughout the month of February, guests who present their Metro Card at the Madame Tussauds admissions counter will receive one free admission with the purchase of one full priced Adult All Access Pass.


Empire State Building, 350 Fifth Ave @ 34th St., New York, NY 10018, 212-736-3100, www.esbnyc.com/index2.cfm. From Times Square MTA N, Q, R, W to 34th St. walk east to 5th Ave.


FAO Schwartz, 767 Fifth Ave @ 59th St., New York, NY 10153, 212-308-6094, http://www.fao.com/. From Times Square MTA N, R, W to 5th Ave/59th St.


Photo by Joseph Knight


© Copyright 2007-8 The Cable Group

11th Hour Gift giving Woes? A Tasteful Solution

Cookies well worth the Calories!

----A note from the Editor---

As the weather outside is nippy, and the warmth of summer far behind us, I thought I would feature this story written by Postcard's photographer last summer. After the frantic pace of the Holidays, brace yourself for the winter with these delicious treats (find the telephone number below to have them delivered.)

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Dear Postcards from New York Reader,

Many of you will be shocked to learn that Jacqueline Cable has been trying to kill me for years. This conspiracy started during an early 1990's trip to Scotland (in preparation for a Golf Tour.) Jacqueline was determined to get into an ancient cathedral that happened to be closed. She was dragging me from locked door to locked door, pounding on them mercilessly, "Joseph, there must be a caretaker or rector somewhere, come on, they'll hear me knocking."

To my utter surprise, when I looked down I realized we were walking on big flat grave markers, overgrown with moss and lichen. A moment later, BAM! I was flat on my back, cracked a 17th century grave marker, (sorry Mr. Ross MacDonald), and in utter pain...

Fast forward to a hot day in July in New York City on a Postcards from New York photo shoot; Jacqueline raced between landmark buildings and monumental sculpture, this time around lower Manhattan, demanding I keep up. I was ready to call it a day. We had been running around since early morning and I was very pleased with the abundance of photos waiting in my camera.

"Joseph, come on, one more waterfall, just one - I promise..." she prodded. Suddenly walking on the uneven 18th century pavement, I thought of Scotland, and several other near death experiences. However, my fear was unwarranted and we made it to the "last" waterfall, and guess what? My perseverance was rewarded. Just behind Chase Plaza and Jean Dubuffet's "Group of Four Trees", I found Financier Patisserie. My bonus for a long day's work.

I walked in from the heat of the day to discover a cornucopia of wonderful baked jewels. I am a self confessed cookie-aholic; I love cookies! They remind me of my German and Italian grandmothers, Oma and Nona. Oma always said, "It's not a complete day if you don't reward yourself with a cookie." When in Sicily, Nona spoke to us, letting us know she loved us, with the most amazingly thin butter cookies, almond horns and pinolis. While she spoke no English, and my sisters and I struggled in deficient Italian, "cookie" was universally understood.

There, guarded behind glass, (bullet proof I am sure), in all its glory, was a plate of almond horn cookies! And look, a jewel encrusted lynzar tart - my mother's favorite - ooooo, and macarons - fat and fresh in pastel colors and delicate flavors! WAIT what is that? Thin toasted almond slices on a rich bead of swirling dark chocolate. The sight of these cookies brought me back to my childhood, to my grandmother's kitchens and the espresso bars of Italy. Needless to say I left with a wonderful lime-green striped box full of these divine cookies to sample at home later.

As I paid the cashier, Jacqueline called, "Joseph, come on, I need a picture of just one more fountain, it's not a waterfall, I promise." OK, I said, no more waterfalls, just one more fountain..."

Go Eat Something Good!

Joseph Knight

For Postcards from New York

Address to Remember: Financier Patisserie, 35 Cedar Street (between Pearl and William), New York, NY 10005, 212-952-3838, http://www.financierpastries.com/

Directions: From Times Square MTA 2 or 3 to Wall St. walk west to Pearl St. and north to Cedar.

Photo by Joseph Knight


© Copyright 2007-8 The Cable Group

11 Things

Taxis, A Quintessentially New York feature

----A Postcard from New York Encore----

With the addition of one more thing that makes New York so very special for me.

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Dear Postcards from New York Reader,

On a return flight from LA last week, I looked out the plane window at the landscape below ablaze with light; building lights, expressway lights, bridge lights and car lights zooming rhythmically in a sea of traffic. Immediately I got the rush, the little exhilarating shiver I always get when I come home and it hits me how lucky I am to live in this incredible place.

Now after a festive Thanksgiving surrounded by friends and family, I pause a moment to share 10 things I am extremely thankful for but take for granted far too often.

1. That this city truly never sleeps. It is alive with places where you can listen to jazz, like Birdland, into the wee hours, and places where you can just sit and chat with friends until 3 or 4 in the morning.

2. That the US Post Office at 33rd Street and 8th Avenue is open 24 hours a day 365 days a year. Need to have something postmarked, perhaps your tax return on April 15th? Just get there by 12 AM. In most US cities, even major ones, the Post office is closed by 5 or 6 PM at the latest.

3. The late Federal Express Drop off. It is almost 9 PM, you discover you’ve got to have something delivered tomorrow. In any other city, you would be out of luck. Not here, last drop off at 537 West 33rd Street between 10th and 11th Avenue is 9:30PM.

4. The Barnes and Noble at Lincoln Center. If like me, you find it impossible to free up an hour or two during the day to get to a bookstore; arrive here at 9 PM and you will still have hours to browse through books in your favorite sections. The store is open until 12 AM every day.

5. Cipriani for gourmet take-out. Your sister or a friend calls to say they are on the way over, and like most New Yorkers you have nothing in your fridge; after all, with over 45,000 restaurants to choose from, we frequently dine out. No need to settle for Chinese, Mexican or Pizza. More on this amazing place in an upcoming Postcard.

6. Staples and FedEx Kinko's. Ever find yourself in a situation where you finally finish a last minute report or presentation and you need to have copies made and professionally bound? Staples at 14th Street and Union Square is open until 10 PM or there is a 24-hour Kinko’s in almost every neighborhood.

7. Easy access to the most renowned writers, artists, musicians, healers and guru’s. One can hear them play in intimate surroundings, meet them at gallery openings or lectures, or talk with them after a show or informal gathering at places like The New School. Enroll in a drawing class at the Art Students League, and there standing next to you is a famous artist, pencil and paper in hand honing his craft.

8. The New York Public Library. The city’s greatest asset belongs to all of us and we do not take advantage of even 10% of all its offers. Look for an upcoming series on the Library in Postcards early in the New Year.

9. Fairway – Like No other Market. Yes, Zabar’s and Citarella are wonderful and they too bring food and delicacies from far corners of the globe within our reach; but Fairway makes no pretense and doesn’t try to be anything other than an insanely harried, bustling, crowded-at-all-hours market.

10. The Spa at the Madison Hotel for the most exquisite Shiatzu massage. Back walk anyone? I never have time to do these things during normal business hours. Here, I can book a last minute appointment or just walk in at 7 or 8 PM and leave at midnight or later, completely rejuvenated.

11. The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree lighting is an annual thrill. The moment the more than 30,000 lights go on will leave you giddy and speechless. The Christmas season doesn't really start for me until I experience that special magic. Share it with family and friends this year on December 3rd. Just get there early and secure a spot as it is guaranteed to be a "gridlock alert day." Click here to learn more about this years 72-foot, 8 ton Norwood Spruce.

Yes, only in New York.

Jacqueline Cable
For Postcards from New York

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Photo by Joseph Knight

© Copyright 2007-8 The Cable Group