On-Hudson.com

New-York City Whale Watching Cruises

http://www.gothamwhale.com/

http://www.americanprincesscruises.com/dolphin_whale_watching.htm

Whale and Dolphin Watching Adventure Cruises June 18th - August 28th 2014!

NEW: Weekend Whale & Dolphin Watching starting in September!

ROCKAWAY HAS VISITORS

Captain's recommendation: Due to NYC traffic we advise that you plan to arrive at Riis Landing 1/2 hour to 3/4 hour before the departure time.

Yes, it's true... whales and dolphins have been spotted in the waters of Rockaway, New York!

If you're interested in setting sail in search of these beautiful mammals, hop aboard The American Princess for a Whale Watch / Dolphin Watch Adventure Cruise.

Join us from 12:00 PM Noon to approximately 4:00 PM every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday beginning June 18, 2014 - August 28, 2014 for a relaxing cruise and what promises to be an amazing site. Leaving from Riis Landing (Rockaway, Queens New York - see travel directions below).

Join us, the original New York City Whale/Dolphin Watchers, as we head out into the Atlantic Ocean and seek out these beautiful mammals. We suggest you bring a regular camera, video camera and/or binoculars if possible. Children will be encouraged to participate in helping our crew take the official whale & dolphin count. Your photos and videos can be posted on our Facebook page.

The American Princess adheres to NOAA Northeast whale watching guidelines and is an active participant to the whale sense program. Visit the whale sense web site to learn about responsible whale watching and the whale sense program.

 

Captain's recommendation: Due to NYC traffic we advise that you plan to arrive at Riis Landing 1/2 hour to 3/4 hour before the departure time. Whale and Dolphin Watching Adventure Cruise June 18th - August 28th 2014 Every Wednesday, Thursday & Friday Boarding @ 11:15 AM Departs Riis Landing (Rockaway, Queens)@ 12:00 PM Returns @ approximately 4:00 PM NEW: Weekend Whale & Dolphin Watching starting in September! Fares   Adults $45 Seniors (62 & over) $35 Children (5 - 12 yrs)  $25 Children under 5 yrs FREE -- Important Notes -- Purchase tickets and/or make a reservation using the calendar below If you have purchased a voucher you will be given the opportunity to enter the code(s) Vouchers/coupons apply only to Adult tickets *Travelzoo purchases - If you have purchased the 2-ticket deal, please select two adults and enter the voucher code twice To make certain you receive email confirmation of your purchase/reservation, please add [email protected] to your contacts/address book/safe senders list Cash bar available on board Coolers are not permitted on board There is a 24-hour cancellation policy All trips are subject to availability and American Princess Cruises reserves the right to cancel any trip at any time Captain's recommendation: Due to NYC traffic we advise that you plan to arrive at Riis Landing 1/2 hour to 3/4 hour before the departure time < August 2014 > Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday         1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31                 Events   No events   Fully booked   Today

Frequently Asked Questions:

Food/Beverages:
Snack concession and a full beverage bar on board; sandwiches are permitted to be brought on board, however beverages and coolers are not.

Reservations:
Reservations are recommended, however you can also purchase tickets on the day of the trip while boarding the boat. Our policy is first-come, first-served. Trips are subject to cancellation due to inclement weather or at the discretion of the captain.

Reservations may be made through our online reservation system

Handicap Accessibility:
Yes, the American Princess is handicap accessible

Strollers:
Yes, children's strollers are permitted onboard

Extras:
Facebook Photo contest: win a Prize!

Directions:
Please follow the public transportation options as well as the driving directions listed below.

Address to Whale & Dolphin Adventure Cruise - Riis Landing:
The closest cross streets to the departure location are, Beach 169th Street and Heinzelman Road. The zip code is 11697. Since it is a National Park docking facility there is no building number, so please refer to the local directions below.

Directions to Riis Landing
Former U.S. Coast Guard Station
Intersection of State Rd. and Heinzelman Rd.
Breezy Point (Rockaway, Queens) NY 11697
West Side of Marine Pkwy Bridge
Reference Point: Fort Tilden is located across the street from Riis Landing
Google Map

For a printable version click here

BY CAR

Take the Belt Parkway to Exit 11S (Flatbush Avenue South). Continue on Flatbush Avenue South to the Marine Parkway Bridge (also known as the Gil Hodges Bridge). Drive in the right lane over the bridge, and take the Breezy Point exit located at the foot of the bridge. Proceed to the second traffic light and make a right directly into the parking lot of Riis Landing. Tickets may be purchased and redeemed aboard the boat.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION - Subway & Bus

From NYC & BROOKLYN:
Take the #2 train (also the #5 at rush hour) to Flatbush Avenue. Transfer to the Q35 Bus over the Marine Park Bridge to the Fort Tilden bus stop in Breezy Point, Rockaway. Once you are off the bus, walk back to the corner of the main road (where the bus turned) and with the bridge on your right side, walk left to the traffic light. Cross the street at the traffic light and continue walking directly into the parking lot of Riis Landing (the building facing you) and then onto the boat. Tickets may be purchased and redeemed aboard the boat.

From NYC, QUEENS & LONG ISLAND:
Take the A train to Beach 116th St. exit in Rockaway (which includes a connecting shuttle train in Howard Beach to Beach 116th St.). Transfer to the Q35 or Q22 bus to the Fort Tilden bus stop in Breezy Point, Rockaway. Once you are off the bus, walk back to the corner of the main road (where the bus turned) and with the bridge on your right side, walk left to the traffic light. Cross the street at the traffic light and continue walking directly into the parking lot of Riis Landing (the building facing you) and then onto the boat. Tickets may be purchased and redeemed aboard the boat.

Note: Trips subject to fuel surcharge

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Visit our sister sites: NewYorkBeachFerry.com and RockawayFerry.com

Hudson River Paintings @ Questroyal Fine Art

http://www.artnet.com/magazineus/reviews/karlins/hudson-river-at-questroyal10-27-10.asp

                        

                                        ART FOR AUTUMN

                                        by N.F. Karlins

Jasper Francis Cropsey (1823-1900) Autumn Vista 1875 oil on canvas, ca. 12 x 20 in. Questroyal Fine Art

Sanford Robinson Gifford (1823-1880) Mountain Lake oil on canvas, ca. 12 x 10 in. Questroyal Fine Art

Thomas Moran (1837-1926) Nutting, Autumn 1864 oil on canvas, ca. 16 x 20 in. Questroyal Fine Art

Jervis McEntee (1828-1891) Autumn Light 1874 oil on board, ca 5 x 6 in. Questroyal Fine Art

James A. Suydam (1819-1865) Newport Beach 1863 oil on canvas, ca. 18 x 30 in. Questroyal Fine Art

John George Brown (1831-1913) Have a Drink oil on canvas, ca. 24 x 17 in. Questroyal Fine Art

Thomas Hart Benton (1889-1975) Swing Your Partner 1945 watercolor and gouache on paper, ca. 23 x 32 in.

George Wesley Bellows (1882-1925) Flaming Breaker 1913 oil on panel, 15 x ca. 20 in. Questroyal Fine Art

Mauritz Frederik de Haas (1832-1895) Great Head, Isle of Shoals oil on stone, ca 4 x 6 in. Questroyal Fine Art

ART FOR AUTUMN

by N.F. Karlins

 
Making a tour of Chelsea’s contemporary galleries, I noticed the maples beginning to flame and the sweet gums turning maroon. I hungered after a trip up the Hudson to see the leaves before their autumnal strip tease. Unable to get away at the moment, I did the next best thing and went up Park Avenue to Questroyal Fine Art.

 

Owned by Louis M. Salerno and his son, Brent, who kindly pointed out their newest acquisitions, the gallery specializes in American art and always has a good selection of Hudson River paintings. Visitors get a warm welcome, and the paintings are shown in a domestic setting rather than against cold white walls

I came searching for color-drenched fall scenes from the 19th century, and I did find some to those, but also discovered a terrific Luminist painting, an interesting American genre scene, a couple of 20th-century knock-outs and even an exciting oddity.

The season is the subject of two works by Jasper Francis Cropsey, a Hudson River School painter noted for his bright autumnal scenes. Autumn Vista (1875 ) is raked with strong light that picked out some cows on a rocky escarpment in the foreground as trees from green to red and every shade in between ran down to the Hudson River.Mounts Adam and Eve (1872) records a spot in Orange County north of New York City with even more trees in high-keyed autumnal colors.

For drama, Mountain Lake, a small oil by Sanford Robinson Gifford, is hard to beat. A man in a canoe sits placidly mid-lake with yellow, orange, and red trees glimpsed in a ray of light. But the light is filtered through a swirling mass of clouds, operatically whipped above a peak. Just barely visible are some tiny buildings halfway down its rocky side. Very Wagnerian! You hope that the fellow in the canoe can get back to those buildings fast.

A more pastoral scene of fall is Nutting (1864) byThomas Moran, better known for his scenes of the West that assisted in the creation of Yellowstone National Park. Several small figures in a woodland bend to gather nuts, separated from the viewer by a meandering stream. It’s easy to get lost in this tranquil fall setting.

Equally enjoyable is a small gem by Jervis McEntee, Autumn Light from 1874. Roughly 4 x 6 in., it packs in a fall scene with the sun over a misty mountain in the background with a body of water in the foreground with trees and brush in between. The strange, charged light unifies the scene and imbues it with a transcendental feeling.

Turning from other Hudson River works, I really gasped at a seascape by James Augustus Suydamof Newport Beach (1863). OK, it’s not the Hudson. And its muted tones are a far cry from those of Cropsey’s incendiary oaks and maples. But Suydam, a New Yorker who studied at NYU, was mentored by the Hudson River painter John Frederick Kensett and is an important artist of the period.

Suydam’s Luminist paintings don’t come any better than this atmospheric scene of a gray coast with a sailboat. The air is so super-saturated that you can almost smell the water in it. Suydam is a wonderful artist, who started his art career late and died early, so there aren’t many opportunities to see his work, especially a painting this good.

I like genre paintings and found a standout in Have a Drink by John George Brown, who is more associated with paintings of street urchins, particularly paper boys. But in this canvas, a neatly dressed young girl with a hair ribbon invites the viewer to share some water from a well in a rural setting. I found the construction of the well as interesting as the figure. If you like mechanical things, this one’s for you.

Two 20th-century pieces wowed me. One is a large watercolor by the Regionalist Thomas Hart Benton,Swing Your Partner (1945). Here, Benton’s figures are painted with his trademark Michelangelesque musculature that’s elongated like pulled taffy. They have been set in motion by country music from a guitar and violin. People clap, sing, and gesticulate, as one man falls down on the plank floor. To the right, the viewer sees a bit of yellow skirt disappearing from the picture, dancing away. It’s a joyous party that’s so raucous that the drawing has an edge to it. It’s got color, action and a great composition. Some museum should pounce.

Another thrill came from George Wesley Bellows’Flaming Breaker (1913). Bellows was associated with the Ashcan School, but this lush oil of the Maine coast shows his versatility. Thick slabs of brown paint make the rocks and squiggles of white conjure the breaker whose salt spray you can almost taste.

One final reason for a visit to Questroyal is a painting on stone. Yes, stone. It is by Mauritz F. de Haas, a Dutch-born artist who was acclaimed for his naval scenes and marines in this country. I hadn’t heard of him before, but I will look for him again. Measuring not quite 4 x 6 in., his Great Head, Isle of Shoals with miniscule figures on a cliff overlooking the sea with a sailboat below them and gulls soaring would be a remarkable painting even if it were not on stone.

Questroyal Fine Art, 903 Park Avenue (at 79th Street), Suites 3A & B, New York, N.Y. 10075

N.F. KARLINS is a New York critic and art historian.

 

 

 

Featured Weekend Hike WalkWay - Mid-Hudson Bridges Loop

http://www.northjersey.com/sports/103600694_Walkway_over_the_Hudson.html

Hiking: Walkway over the Hudson

FEATURES: This hike loops through Franny Reese State Park and crosses the Hudson River on the Walkway Over the Hudson and Mid-Hudson bridges.

SPECIAL TO THE RECORD

The view from the Mid-Hudson Bridge, taken from the pedestrian walkway is part of this scenic hike. Walkway over the Hudson and Franny Reese State Park (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.)

LENGTH: About seven miles.

DIFFICULTY: Moderate.

TIME: About four and one-half hours.

MAP: Walkway Over the Hudson map (available online at walkway.org); Franny Reese State Park map (available online at scenichudson.org or from kiosk at trailhead).

DOGS: Permitted on leash.

HOW TO GET THERE: Take the New York Thruway to Exit 19, and turn right onto N.Y. Route 299 East. Follow Route 299 for 5.8 miles to Route 9W. Turn right onto Route 9W and continue for 3.3 miles to Macks Lane. Turn left onto Macks Lane and proceed for 0.3 miles to the entrance to Franny Reese State Park on the left.

From the kiosk at the park entrance, proceed ahead on the Yellow Trail. In about half a mile, just beyond a power line, the Yellow Trail turns sharply left and descends, but you should continue ahead on the White Trail, which begins here.

The White Trail follows a woods road uphill. It soon levels off and continues to wind its way through a dense second-growth forest. In about half a mile, you’ll reach a junction where a side trail (also blazed white) goes off to the left, but you should continue ahead on the main trail, which soon narrows to a footpath and curves left.

After passing through an open area, the trail bears right and begins to descend. It climbs a little, levels off, and crosses a stream on a log bridge. Just beyond, it bears right and joins a woods road that runs between two stone walls. The trail continues on a delightful woods road that runs along the side of a hill, with a stone wall on the left.

Just past the end of the stone wall, there are limited views through the trees over the Hudson River. A short distance beyond, you’ll pass ruins of stone buildings on both sides of the trail.

The White Trail ends just beyond the ruin of the largest building, at a T-intersection with the Yellow Trail. Turn right and follow this trail downhill, passing an intersection with the Blue Trail, which begins to the left. Continue ahead on the Yellow Trail, which descends on a switchback. At the base of the descent, cross under the Mid-Hudson Bridge (leaving Franny Reese State Park), then immediately turn left and climb a stairway.

Turn right at the top of the stairway and enter Johnson-Iorio Memorial Park, which offers great views of the Mid-Hudson Bridge and the Walkway Over the Hudson. Continue ahead, uphill, on Haviland Road. In about half a mile, you’ll reach the entrance to the Walkway Over the Hudson, on the right. Turn right and walk across the bridge – the longest cantilevered truss bridge in the world when completed in 1888, and now the longest elevated pedestrian bridge in the world.

When you reach the east end of the bridge, continue ahead on the macadam path to the entrance to the Walkway (on the right). Turn right onto Parker Avenue, and continue to Washington Street. Turn left on Washington Street for one block, turn right at the light, then bear right again onto Verazzano Boulevard.

At the next intersection, turn left onto Mt. Carmel Road and cross a bridge over a brook. Immediately, turn right onto a walkway through a park, then proceed downhill on Dongan Place. Turn left at the next intersection, then turn right and go through an underpass to reach the Poughkeepsie railroad station. Continue south, past the station, to Main Street. Turn right, crossing over the railroad, then immediately cross Rinaldi Boulevard and turn left. Just before reaching an overpass, turn right onto Gerald Drive. At a sign for "Bridge Music," bear left and climb a pedestrian walkway to the Mid-Hudson Bridge. Turn right at the top of the walkway and cross the bridge.

At the west end of the bridge, turn right and descend the stairway which leads to Franny Reese State Park. At the bottom of the stairway, turn right, go under the bridge, and continue ahead on the Yellow Trail (retracing your steps). Near the top of the climb, at a sign for "Overlook," turn right onto the Blue Trail, which climbs to a panoramic overlook over the Mid-Hudson Bridge and Poughkeepsie.

Continue ahead on the Blue Trail, which loops around and heads back to the Yellow Trail. Turn right onto the Yellow Trail and follow it back to the parking area where the hike began.

"Hiking" is provided by Daniel Chazin of the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference.

Black Knights Mitchie Stadium Ranks In Top Ten Collegiate Tailgate Spots For 2010

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/football/ncaa/wires/09/03/2060.ap.fbc.dandy.dozen.tailgates.0569/

LSU tops 12 tailgating spots in college football

It's not just a game in college football, it's a daylong party.

And out-partying the Southeastern Conference, with its passionate fans and mild weather for most of the season, is difficult.

But the SEC hasn't cornered the market on tailgating like it has national championships. If you're looking to go on a tailgating tour this season, here are the top 12 spots to hit.

1) LSU. It's all about the food. Hot dogs, burgers and brats? Please. Try spicy alligator, andouille sausage, gumbo, crawfish and maybe a little shrimp etouffee. Plenty of beverages to wash it all down, too.

2) Mississippi. Ten acres shaded by oak trees make The Grove one of the great gameday spots in America. The saying at Ole Miss goes something like this: "We may lose a game, but we never lose a party.''

3) Washington. Tailgating in boats along Lake Washington, and the university even runs a shuttle boat to Husky Stadium. The scene makes up for the sketchy weather.

4) Tennessee. More boats - "Volunteer Navy'' docks on the nearby Tennessee River - and lots of orange make Rocky Top quite the scene.

5) Ohio State. Take a walk down Lane Avenue and it's like a Buckeyes street fair. Then hit Buckeye Grove, where a buckeye tree has been planted for each Ohio State All-American.

6) Nebraska. Generally speaking, Cornhuskers fans have a reputation for being the nicest and most hospitable in college football. They also never run out of corn-fed beef.

7) Texas. Barbecue smokers big enough to fit a side beef, the cheerleaders wear chaps and when it comes to college towns, Austin is about as good as it gets.

8) Penn State. Paternoville is the name of the tent city that sprouts up around Beaver Stadium the week before a game. For Temple, there might be a dozen or so tents. For Ohio State, the number might reach triple digits.

9) Auburn. Tailgating is not just for pregame at Auburn. Visit Toomer's Corner after the Tigers wins. It's where the campus and the city converge and students toilet paper the trees to celebrate victories.

10) Army. It's a much smaller affair at West Point and the eats aren't quite as elaborate, but the setting along the banks of the Hudson River is stunning.

11) Clemson. The fraternities band together on gameday for a massive party and a Tiger can't swing its tail without hitting a plate of barbecued meat.

12) Purdue: Makes the list for this alone: One Boilermakers fan converted a coffin into a grill and ice chest, and brought it to the game in a hearse.

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Apple Season 2010 In The Hudson Valley Is Ripe For Enjoyment

http://www.hvpress.net/news/125/ARTICLE/9459/2010-08-31.html

 

Apple season all over the Hudson Valley

 

 

Bite into a crunchy, just picked apple and you can taste one of the best flavors of the fall season. The Hudson Valley has the perfect climate for apples with over 25 varieties grown throughout the region. As the days turn crisp, so do our apples. Spend a colorful autumn day picking McIntosh, Macoun, or a super delicious Prime Red at farms located up and down the Hudson River.

Apple-themed events are a harvest favorite, and the Founders Day Celebration on September 11^th in Castleton is a big one. Goold Orchard is commemorating their 100^thanniversary with apple picking, wine tasting, family activities, music, and more. It’s the kickoff event for a year-long salute to one of the oldest farms in the region. Those same apples turn magically delicious when they’re made into Whistle-Stop White, an award winning semi-dry apple wine. Goold’s Brookview Station Winery in Schodack also offers fresh apple cider, warm cider donuts, and the chance to pick your own in their orchards.

Further into the season, Warwick’s Applefest takes over the village on October 3rd. This huge street festival celebrates the apple harvest with five stages of live music, and over 200 arts and crafts vendors. Children are treated to their own carnival, and treat your self to a slice of apple pie from the baking contest. The village shops are open, and there are eight farms nearby to pick your own apples. The town of Cairo has its own Apple Harvest Festival on October 9th and 10th. Two days filled with apples, musical performances, crafts, great food and fresh produce. Kids won’t want to miss the puppets, rides, and petting zoo. It’s a fun weekend for the whole family conveniently located at the town park.

If you’re really in the spirit, come to Golden Harvest Farms in Valatie where Harvest Spirits produces Cornelius Applejack. Each bottle of this smooth American classic is distilled from 60 pounds of apples, all grown on the farm. Over 16 varieties of apples are grown there, all ready to be picked or purchased at the farm store. Take the country roads from there to Meadowbrook Farm in Wappingers Falls, a family farm where you can pick your own apples and even picnic in the farmyard. Their large fruit and vegetable market sells produce grown on site with a large variety of apples to choose from including Cortland, red and yellow Delicious, Empire, and Macintosh.

Peek through the kitchen window at Salingers Orchard in Brewster to watch apple pies coming right out of the oven. As you choose which apples to take home, you’ll see more than 75 unique birdhouses decorating the walls of the market. Watch the honey bees at work in their observation beehive, pick up some gourmet pancake mix, and savor a fresh donut made right before your eyes. Across the river, Dr. Davies Farm in Congers has over 4,000 trees on its 35 acres. This popular farm is open every day for apple picking near the family’s 1836 farmhouse. Grab a picking pole and head for a tree of your favorite variety before cooling off with some fresh pressed cider.

Stuart’s Farm in Granite Springs is the region’s oldest working farm, owned by the same family since 1828. The fruit and produce stand was built in 1886 and is still open for business, selling a variety of apples as well as other farm grown fruits and vegetables. Pick your own apples and take a hayride through the 200 acres of fields and orchards. If you’re on a mission to see multiple orchards, take the Hudson Valley Apple Trail that starts in New Paltz at Apple Hill Farm. Seven apple orchards offer pick-your-own apples and farm stands filled with fresh-pressed cider, apple pies, hot cider donuts, apple jelly, and so much more. The twenty-mile loop links family farms in five communities, each with its own fun activities like riding a fire truck or hay wagon to the apple trees.

Take your pick. Country farms and apple festivals are the favorite fall destinations in the Hudson Valley. Every turn down one of our country roads reveals beautiful fall foliage and picturesque farm stands piled high with apples. It’s a season of all the senses, so come and enjoy Hudson Valley’s harvest in all its delights.

Hudson Valley Tourism, Inc. is the 10-county region designated by I LOVE NEW YORK to promote tourism for the area. Regional information can be obtained from the Hudson Valley Tourism website, www.travelhudsonvalley.com, or by calling 845-615-3860.

Four Labor Day Staycation Ideas

http://www.nypost.com/p/lifestyle/travel/escapes_without_leaving_town_YYEHI8QEq6Ri3tBt5n7rYJ

4 great escapes without leaving town

You don’t have to getaway to get away, you guys

DAVID LANDSEL

No plans to get away this weekend? Get away right here at home — it’s a lot easier than you think.

1) THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF NOW

Life’s funny. While the chattering class stood around and debated whether or not a mostly-hopelessly uncool place like Long Island City could ever happen — oh wait, what’s that? — it happened. And how. Now, the PS1 branch of MoMA isn’t just an embassy of awesome out in the middle of Dorkistan; visitors can now experience some of the little things that make hanging out in the neighborhood so pleasant. There is, perhaps firstly and most importantly, Sasha Petraske’s best bar: Dutch Kills . Get here when it opens at 5 in the afternoon, sit at the tiny bar and become new best friends with the bartender on duty. Don’t be surprised if you get served some of the better cocktails money can buy in this town. Speaking of things that are super: Sweetleaf Café , further down Jackson Avenue? They serve Stumptown Coffee, the rustic-chic space is completely alluring, and their iced java — a rich and smooth blend of chicory coffee with creamy milk and a touch of maple syrup for sweetness — is near the top of its class. Makes sense why there’s a line out the door here some mornings. Couple stuff like that with the vastly-improved waterfront park and the easy walk over the bridge into happening Greenpoint, and we are so sold, it’s not even funny. Go. Explore. Now.

Inside the Peninsula's spa — one of our favorite escape hatches in the city.

2) HIT THE SPA

The city is full of escape hatches, but one of our favorites remains the spa high atop the Peninsula Hotel , smack in the middle of Midtown. Gorgeously renovated a few years back and managed by ESPA, it’s been the site of some of the most relaxing days we’ve ever had within the five boroughs — possibly more relaxing than some days we’ve spent in bed. There’s a beautiful pool, a complete fitness center, an outdoor relaxation area, complete locker facilities that includes steam, sauna and all sorts of fancy showers and a talented team of therapists on staff. Simply put, one day has never felt like enough. It’s a start, though; book their Day of Wellness, which includes 60 minutes each of personal training, massage, facial and a lunch served by the pool, plus facility use. The price is just $375 — list price is nearly $600, so trust us, it’s a deal.

3) RED HOOK SAFARI

It’s one of the most disjointed neighborhoods in New York, a hodge-podge of industry, housing projects, big box stores and, quite miraculously, one of the coolest strips in the city: Van Brunt Street. Hanging out down here is always incredibly rewarding. Weekday brunch at the ultra-civilized, New Orleans-style all-day bar and café Fort Defiance remains one of our favorite ways to play hooky in the city, and not just because of thee pimento cheese sandwiches and expertly-prepared $8 cocktails. Come Saturdays, the new Red Hook Mercado — more like the Mercadito (it’s tiny) — brings the neighborhood out to mix and mingle and eat solid street food. Stick around and check out boutiques like Erie Basin, selling nifty jewelry and antiques. Coming soon: a coffee tasting bar at the Stumptown Coffee roasting facility. Could it get any better? Probably, but it doesn’t really need to.

4) RIVER RUN

Little by little, piece by piece, the trail that runs north along the Hudson River from Battery Park has become one of New York’s finest assets. Perfect? No. But it’s there, and there’s more to love than most people think. On a steamy day, down here you get a great breeze. There’s that whole new section that just opened north of Chelsea Piers. And no longer must pedestrians and cyclists fight it out on the narrow paths in Riverside Park — that once essential detour is now a thing of the past, thanks to the fancy new waterside trail link. Speaking of Riverside Park, have you even seen the newer, southern segment? It’s damn impressive, and proof that you don’t need to bury highways to reclaim land for better uses — you just need to work around them. Detour off course at 52nd Street for happy hour at one of the city’s best wine bars, Ardesia — they’ve got great specials, a talented staff and a great patio just a block or so from the river. Or, forge ahead up to 125th Street, where the West Harlem Piers area great spot for an al fresco dinner which you can pick up at the adjacent location of Dinosaur Bar-B-Q. The bacon cheeseburger might be better than the barbecue, but we totally didn’t say that.

165th Annual Dutchess County Fair August 24th-29th 2010

http://www.dutchessfair.com/dutchess-fair.php

The Dutchess County Fair

2010 Fair Dates: August 24-29

Aerial Demonstrations Over Hudson River As Air Force Week Comes To The Apple

http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2010/08/ap-air-force-week-flyovers-new-york-082310/

NYPD: Hudson River flyovers planned

The Associated Press
Posted : Monday Aug 23, 2010 11:46:38 EDT

NEW YORK — The New York City Police Department says flyovers will be conducted over the Hudson River during the city’s three-day Air Force Week.

All the aerial demonstrations will be over the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum.

Two F-16s will be making multiple practice flights on Monday, from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Flyovers are scheduled for 10:35 a.m. Tuesday — the official beginning of Air Force Week — and at 11 a.m. on Wednesday.

X2O Xaviars On-Hudson Terrific Food & A View To Match

http://www.xaviars.com/yonkers/index.html

X2O Xaviars On The Hudson X2O Xaviars on the Hudson is Peter X Kelly’s latest addition to the Xaviars Restaurant Group. It sits in the water on the only turn of the century Victorian pier still in use on the Hudson River. X2O’s Main Dining Salon's 25 foot vaulted ceiling and 3 walls of glass frame offers views of the George Washington and Tappan Zee Bridges, as well as sunsets over the Palisades. Guests encounter dishes incorporating classic French technique with Italian and Spanish influences, and Asian embellishments which create a wholly original cuisine unique to the Hudson Valley. The Dylan Lounge is a vibrant, up-tempo space with a sophisticated and playful bent that offers guests more dining options. Guests are invited to sample a variety of small plates and sushi, while dining at the Communal Table, sushi bar, or at traditional banquette and table seating. To book your reservation online, click here >> Hours of Operation Lunch Tuesday through Friday Seating from Noon - 2:00 pm Sunday Brunch Seating from Noon - 2:00 pm Dinner Tuesday through Friday Seating from 5:30 pm - 10:00 pm Saturday Seating from 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm Sunday Seating from 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm Dylan Lounge Tuesday - Sunday Seating from 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Xaviars X2O | 71 Water Grant Street | Yonkers, NY | 914.965.1111

Air Force Week @ The Intrepid Air & Space Museum August 24th - 27th

http://www.intrepidmuseum.org/Plan-Your-Visit/Public-Events-Calendar/Public-Event-Details/Air-Force-Week-at-Intrepid.aspx

Air Force Week at Intrepid

Join us at Intrepid as we welcome Air Force Week in New York City! From August 24th through August 27th, Intrepid’s pier will be lined with displays and interactives from the Air Force. In addition, there will be a helicopter landing on the flight deck and on Aug 27th, the Air Force is presenting a special free movie screening of Iron Man at Intrepid. Come out and show your support to the fine men and women of the Air Force. Schedule of Activities Tuesday, August 24 Time Event Location 10:00AM- 5PM Air Force Pier Displays AF Global Strike Command Air Force Diversity Air Force ROTC US Air Force Academy NYC Veteran's Parade Arctic Cat A-10 Monster Truck InWorld Virtual Iraq Air Force Personnel Command OCC Chopper AF Special Operations Command Stealth Tour Pier 86 3:00PM Air Force Band Performance by Max Impact Max Impact fuses the elements of contemporary music from today's hip-hop, pop and urban sounds-and everything in between. Max Impact brings together the musical styles of today's top artists like Destiny's Child, Maroon 5 and Christina Aguilera. Original Max Impact songs are also regularly featured as the band strives to fire up Airmen with pride in service and a renewed commitment to excellence. Pier 86   Wednesday, August 25 Time Event Location 10:00AM- 5PM Air Force Pier Displays AF Global Strike Command Air Force Diversity Air Force ROTC US Air Force Academy NYC Veteran's Parade Arctic Cat A-10 Monster Truck InWorld Virtual Iraq Air Force Personnel Command OCC Chopper AF Special Operations Command Stealth Tour Pier 86 11:00AM- 2PM Helo landing on Flight Deck, followed by public visitation Flight Deck 12:00PM Air Force Band of Northeast Performance The mission of the Air National Guard Band of the Northeast is to provide musical support for Air Force and Air National Guard units, Department of Defense sponsored events, community and public events, and recruiting efforts. Through music, a message is conveyed to the public promoting patriotism and the American way of life. Pier 86 3:00PM Air Force Band Performance by Afterburner Afterburner is the United States Air Force Band of Liberty's high energy rock band. This six member group brings an explosive blend of classic rock, pop, and R&B to their dynamic stage shows. The members of this versatile group are all active duty military and are based out of Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts. They have appeared on national TV, headlined major festivals, and opened for artists such as Charlie Daniels, The Commodores, The Subdudes, The Fabulous Thunderbirds and Gretchen Wilson. Pier 86   Thursday, August 26 Time Event Location 10:00AM- 5PM Air Force Pier Displays AF Global Strike Command Air Force Diversity Air Force ROTC US Air Force Academy NYC Veteran's Parade Arctic Cat A-10 Monster Truck InWorld Virtual Iraq Air Force Personnel Command OCC Chopper AF Special Operations Command Stealth Tour Pier 86 11:00AM Air Force Band of the Northeast Performance The mission of the Air National Guard Band of the Northeast is to provide musical support for Air Force and Air National Guard units, Department of Defense sponsored events, community and public events, and recruiting efforts. Through music, a message is conveyed to the public promoting patriotism and the American way of life. Pier 86 2:30PM Air Force Drill Team Performance The Air Force Honor Guard Drill Team is the traveling component of the USAF Honor Guard and inspires Air Force awareness among military and civilian audiences through its complex drill routine. In all they do, the Drill Team personifies the integrity, discipline, teamwork, and professionalism of every Airman and every Air Force mission. During the Air Force Honor Guard's 60-year history, the Drill Team has performed in every state of the union and many countries abroad. Pier 86 3:00PM Air Force Band Performance by Max Impact Max Impact fuses the elements of contemporary music from today's hip-hop, pop and urban sounds-and everything in between. Max Impact brings together the musical styles of today's top artists like Destiny's Child, Maroon 5 and Christina Aguilera. Original Max Impact songs are also regularly featured as the band strives to fire up Airmen with pride in service and a renewed commitment to excellence. Pier 86       Friday, August 27 Time Event Location 7:30PM Air Force Movie Night: Iron Man Join Intrepid in celebrating some of our favorite heroes from the movies with our 2nd annual Intrepid Summer Movie Series. Bring your lawn chairs, picnic baskets and blankets. Guests are encouraged to bring their own food, snacks and non-alcoholic beverages, however no outside alcohol is permitted. Doors open at 7:30PM, film begins at sunset, weather permitting. Space is limited. For details visit:http://www.intrepidmuseum.org/Summer-Movie-Series.aspx Flight Deck