Introducing "New York Get There 1-2-3"

Gets you around the Big Apple like a local

Dear Postcards from New York Reader,

Finally it’s done! Sorry to everyone who didn't receive a Christmas or Holiday Card. Now, you know what we have been hard at work on; Postcard’s first book “New York Get There 1-2-3,” a compact, 72 page quick-guide to help visitors and residents truly get around the Apple as easily as 1,2,3.

How the Little Book came to be

Many of you early on, let me know how much you appreciated the directions (Ellen, you were the first) provided at the conclusion of each Postcards story. You mentioned that they were convenient to download and handy to give to friends and relatives who were planning a visit, because all the vital details were in one place. Gail told me, she downloads stories and gives them to clients and associates of her firm, who may just be in the city briefly for business.

As a veteran New Yorker, I never give a thought to getting around; if I have a question about where I am going, a quick look at a Subway map and I’m off. Once you brought “Directions” to my attention, I began to notice how often in the course of a day, I would be approached by dazed tourists with guidebooks in hand. Pause and look, and you will see no end of groups (of all ages), clustered around big open maps, trying to figure out how to get to a landmark or famous sight.

Then, when I was in Barnes and Noble or Borders, I began to spend more and more time in the travel sections. Hundreds of Guidebooks! I bet there are more books on New York than London or Paris, or any other famous city. Many of the familiar names (Frommer’s, Fodor’s, Eyewitness, Michelin) are filled with great information, useful details and lots of pictures, but they are primarily for tourists. Some are so beautiful you can droll for hours; of course, I added several to my wish list.

However, anyone who lives here or commutes is always on the go, short on time; we just want information—no frills. The Orbitz Guide came to mind. During my corporate years, I spent a great deal of time on planes. When business meetings were delayed, cancelled, extended or ran over into the next day, flight changes were a frequent occurrence. I would never be without the frequent flier's must have travel companion—"The Orbitz Guide".

The idea for "New York Get There 1-2-3" took shape; a little book, updated once a year, small enough to fit in the slimmest purse or jacket pocket. It would be:

Compact- 4” X 6 1/2” easy to carry, and okay to cover with notes, mark ups, checks, highlights and underlined entries for quick reference.

Comprehensive- with over 400 locations, addresses, and websites for major hospitals, medical centers, universities, houses of worship, as well as landmarks, historic sites and museums.

Time and money saver- brief directions by bus, subway and train, hours of operation, costs for adults, seniors, students and kids, free and pay as you wish days--all in one place.

"Get There" is ideal for students, visitors, business people in town for the day or a convention, commuters who want to get more from their lunch hour break, and long time residents who have never been to Sung Harbor, Louis Armstrong’s Home or played golf in Van Cortlandt Park.

"New York Get There 1-2-3," is no frills, just the vital information you want at your fingertips. Its debut is a timely and appropriate Thank you to all our subscribers, as we approach Postcard's second Birthday (March 7).

Claim yours while supplies last and before “Get There” is released to the public. It is *FREE* (one per subscriber) only pay postage and handling for this $9.95 value. Click here to read more about “New York Get There 1-2-3" and order your copy TODAY!

Don’t forget to visit the new Postcard's website at www.postcardsfromnewyork.com. (Created by talented designer and webmaster, Benjamin De Mers.)

Jacqueline Cable
For Postcards from New York

P.S. Please send us an email if you find locations you think should be included, if there is consensus, we will add it to the 2010 “Get There.”

Photo by Joseph Knight

© Copyright 2007-9 The Cable Group

Merry Christmas!

Central mosaic on facade of St. George Ukrainian Church

Dear Postcards from New York Reader,

Merry Christmas to our Orthodox Readers!

The twelfth day of Christmas, the Epiphany, when the three wise men from the East presented their gifts to Christ, is the day Christmas is celebrated in Eastern Rite Churches.

"Now I feel I've celebrated Christmas," a fellow Roman Catholic whispered to me as we left the impressive Byzantine domed church of St. George in the East Village early Christmas morning. In a reflective mood, after the incense, the music, the beautiful sung service, I could only nod in silent agreement and smile.

Invited by a NYU classmate a few years ago to join him for Christmas Vigil at St. George, I hesitated a moment before accepting his invitation, as the unpleasant memory of the extremely long (3 hours!) Orthodox wedding Liturgy of several Greek and Russian college friends crossed my mind. If you saw the movie "My Big Fat Greek Wedding," you know what I mean.

Well, just like Toula by the movie's end, comes to appreciate her Greek heritage, I am now ashamed when I recall my reaction that day, as I now look forward with eager anticipation to the 3 hour Liturgy each year at Easter and Christmas.

Fourth century Constantinople, not Rome, was the Capital of the Roman Empire; The Orthodox Liturgy by St. Basil the Great (330-379) dates back to those early days. It predates the Latin Mass, as it is now celebrated, by several centuries. Abridged by St. John Chrysostom (347-407), it is solemn, rich with prayers and ritual, elaborate, ornate and opulent, designed to humble and enthrall a Roman Emperor and his attending court.

The service begins with Compline (the last prayer of the night in the Liturgy of the Hours), followed by an entirely sung Liturgy, where everyone sings--Deacons as well as Priests, not just the choir.

In an ethnically diverse city like New York, the pleasant chance to peek into the world of another culture, like this area of the East Village known as "Little Ukraine," is always present; one can easily experience life in any number of different countries without leaving town.

For a beautiful liturgical celebration of history, tradition and ceremony, consider attending an Orthodox Liturgy this Easter (April 19, 2009) or next Christmas. (Have no fear of the language, missals have English translations.)

Happy New Year to All!

Jacqueline Cable
For Postcards from New York


Address to Remember: St. George Ukrainian Church, 30 East 7th St., New York, NY 10003, 212-674-1615, www.brama.com/stgeorge/.

Directions: From Times Square MTA N, R, W to 8th St/NYU, walk east to Astor Pl, south to 7th St.


Photo by Vasyl Lopukh


© Copyright 2007-9 The Cable Group

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