Comments for CityListen Blog http://blog.citylisten.com Just another WordPress weblog Wed, 10 Mar 2010 11:28:44 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7.1 hourly 1 Comment on Top Ten Broadway Flops by Jonathan http://blog.citylisten.com/2009/09/top-ten-all-time-broadway-flops/comment-page-1/#comment-518 Jonathan Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:12:15 +0000 http://blog.citylisten.com/?p=190#comment-518 The newly shuttered revival of Neil Simon's "Brighton Beach Memoirs" proves once again that even celebrated plays and playwrights are not immune to the Broadway flop. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/02/theater/02simon.html?hpw The newly shuttered revival of Neil Simon’s “Brighton Beach Memoirs” proves once again that even celebrated plays and playwrights are not immune to the Broadway flop.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/02/theater/02simon.html?hpw

]]> Comment on New York City Bucket List by Cross-Culture Tweets – Week 43 of 2009 http://blog.citylisten.com/2009/10/new-york-city-bucket-list/comment-page-1/#comment-463 Cross-Culture Tweets – Week 43 of 2009 Tue, 27 Oct 2009 14:50:52 +0000 http://blog.citylisten.com/?p=224#comment-463 [...] RT @legalnomads also adds Cloisters, Bklyn Promenade & Chinatown for dim sum to @walkingnewyork NYC Bucket list [...] [...] RT @legalnomads also adds Cloisters, Bklyn Promenade & Chinatown for dim sum to @walkingnewyork NYC Bucket list [...]

]]> Comment on New York City Bucket List by Anon http://blog.citylisten.com/2009/10/new-york-city-bucket-list/comment-page-1/#comment-419 Anon Fri, 23 Oct 2009 13:19:47 +0000 http://blog.citylisten.com/?p=224#comment-419 Great list! Thank you for encouraging people to explore the Outer Boroughs and Staten Island. If you ever want to delve deeper into what Staten Island has to offer, please go to www.VisitStatenIsland.com which features Staten Island's many museums, parks, art galleries, and more. Great list!
Thank you for encouraging people to explore the Outer Boroughs and Staten Island. If you ever want to delve deeper into what Staten Island has to offer, please go to http://www.VisitStatenIsland.com which features Staten Island’s many museums, parks, art galleries, and more.

]]> Comment on New York City Bucket List by Louis Hansell http://blog.citylisten.com/2009/10/new-york-city-bucket-list/comment-page-1/#comment-408 Louis Hansell Thu, 22 Oct 2009 18:40:02 +0000 http://blog.citylisten.com/?p=224#comment-408 We just did a tour for some relatives visiting from Denmark. I wanted to show them the New York they probably hadn't included in their plans, and show them a New York they probably hadn't seen in the three days before we caught up with them. We took them into Central Park, and showed them the statues and more (thanks to your book!). I really like a small item you mention about the park design: that the 'overpass' system keeps pedestrians and riders apart. This is something that is right before your eyes, but many do not see. Another item that many look right at but do not see: the geology. You mention 'pre-contact' New york: I included Umpire Rock, and the scattered erratics, which represent up to 450 million years ago, when Morocco was just west of the city. I tell them that this continent and their continent get about 1 inch further apart every year. I showed them the grooves made by the glaciers. The Wisconsin glacier went through about 75,000 years ago, and another as recently as about 12,000 years ago. They each left grooves running in different directions. I tell them that the last ice age was more than 1 mile of ice right at that spot in Central Park, imagine scraping that off your windshield!, and that no matter how much they leave their car running, the ice will return as it always has. You do a great job describing the lower section of the park, and I used that information while we ambled on the walkways. It was fun to get them immersed into the park, and then point out that there was nothing they could see or hear that indicated they were in a major world city. We emerged at the AMNH, and walked down to the C train stop at 72nd, which included the Dakota. So they got their subway ride. We got off at the first stop in Brooklyn, checked out the Danish Seamen's Church and the promenade, which inspires the Fulton-Brooklyn-suburbs story that you tell in the book. Then we walked across the Brooklyn Bridge. They didn't realize that it had been built well before the automobile, yet again an element someone looks at but does not realize. Then we walked down Broadway to the colonial area. We have shown many people Trinity Church over the years, but your book had useful tour-story. So many foreign guests have no idea about our history, this is another awakening. For instance, they usually either don't know who Franklin and Hamilton were, or think they were presidents. So when they see Federal Hall, or better Fraunces Tavern, the element of colonial New York has shape for them. They don't know that the hilly land was flattened to make landfill, and that the waterline was much further north. Then they see the painting on the sidewalk outside Fraunces Tavern which says "water line 1609" with some blue wavy lines, and they see something else they wouldn't have seen otherwise. Your question was "what is on your bucket list" and I answered a slightly different question, but in the same spirit. After walking through Washington Square we ate at Otto. Except for dinner, your book was a great supplement to the tour I gave these travelers. Thanks for your work. BTW, I had seen your talk at the Historical Society on Book TV, and got the book right away. We just did a tour for some relatives visiting from Denmark. I wanted to show them the New York they probably hadn’t included in their plans, and show them a New York they probably hadn’t seen in the three days before we caught up with them.
We took them into Central Park, and showed them the statues and more (thanks to your book!).
I really like a small item you mention about the park design: that the ‘overpass’ system keeps pedestrians and riders apart. This is something that is right before your eyes, but many do not see.
Another item that many look right at but do not see: the geology. You mention ‘pre-contact’ New york: I included Umpire Rock, and the scattered erratics, which represent up to 450 million years ago, when Morocco was just west of the city. I tell them that this continent and their continent get about 1 inch further apart every year.
I showed them the grooves made by the glaciers. The Wisconsin glacier went through about 75,000 years ago, and another as recently as about 12,000 years ago. They each left grooves running in different directions. I tell them that the last ice age was more than 1 mile of ice right at that spot in Central Park, imagine scraping that off your windshield!, and that no matter how much they leave their car running, the ice will return as it always has.
You do a great job describing the lower section of the park, and I used that information while we ambled on the walkways. It was fun to get them immersed into the park, and then point out that there was nothing they could see or hear that indicated they were in a major world city.
We emerged at the AMNH, and walked down to the C train stop at 72nd, which included the Dakota.
So they got their subway ride. We got off at the first stop in Brooklyn, checked out the Danish Seamen’s Church and the promenade, which inspires the Fulton-Brooklyn-suburbs story that you tell in the book. Then we walked across the Brooklyn Bridge. They didn’t realize that it had been built well before the automobile, yet again an element someone looks at but does not realize.
Then we walked down Broadway to the colonial area. We have shown many people Trinity Church over the years, but your book had useful tour-story.
So many foreign guests have no idea about our history, this is another awakening. For instance, they usually either don’t know who Franklin and Hamilton were, or think they were presidents. So when they see Federal Hall, or better Fraunces Tavern, the element of colonial New York has shape for them.
They don’t know that the hilly land was flattened to make landfill, and that the waterline was much further north. Then they see the painting on the sidewalk outside Fraunces Tavern which says “water line 1609″ with some blue wavy lines, and they see something else they wouldn’t have seen otherwise.
Your question was “what is on your bucket list” and I answered a slightly different question, but in the same spirit. After walking through Washington Square we ate at Otto. Except for dinner, your book was a great supplement to the tour I gave these travelers.
Thanks for your work. BTW, I had seen your talk at the Historical Society on Book TV, and got the book right away.

]]> Comment on Favorite Walks Contest by Patti http://blog.citylisten.com/2009/08/favorite-walks-contest/comment-page-1/#comment-92 Patti Mon, 31 Aug 2009 13:40:15 +0000 http://blog.citylisten.com/?p=126#comment-92 My top 3: San Francisco -- walking those hills is great exercise, and going from one cultural section to the next is like a trip around the globe. Washington DC -- gorgeous, laid out like Paris, with such a blend of past, present, and future! Catskill Mountains in upstate NY ... simply breathtaking. Patti Joshua, TX My top 3:

San Francisco — walking those hills is great exercise, and going from one cultural section to the next is like a trip around the globe.

Washington DC — gorgeous, laid out like Paris, with such a blend of past, present, and future!

Catskill Mountains in upstate NY … simply breathtaking.

Patti
Joshua, TX

]]> Comment on Favorite Walks Contest by Laura http://blog.citylisten.com/2009/08/favorite-walks-contest/comment-page-1/#comment-86 Laura Fri, 28 Aug 2009 17:36:23 +0000 http://blog.citylisten.com/?p=126#comment-86 Dear CityListen: Put a bridge in front of me and I'll walk it. 1. Brooklyn Bridge In NYC I've walked all the bridges that are walkable. My favorite -- well, probably everyone's favorite -- is the Brooklyn Bridge. Anytime, in any weather. Look down through the wooden pedestrian planks, straight to the water. See the cars go by below you -- noisy but removed. Like the city, the bridge never sleeps -- it's always alive with pedestrians, bikers, joggers, taxis. 2. Golden Gate Bridge On a perfect day on the Bay, look back at the city and look ahead to the scenery. Look below at the surfers and relax into their rhythms. It truly bridges the distance from the urban jungle to the different worlds of the suburbs, historical areas, wine country, redwoods. 3. Michigan Avenue Bridge The best part: It bounces! Well, it's more stable now. But especially before the 1992 mishap where half the bridge popped into the air, you'd bounce along as the buses drove past. Chicago's unique because you can be right on Michigan Avenue, right in the heart of the city, and still have a perspective of the skyline and architecture. Thanks for letting me play! Laura Dear CityListen:
Put a bridge in front of me and I’ll walk it.

1. Brooklyn Bridge
In NYC I’ve walked all the bridges that are walkable. My favorite — well, probably everyone’s favorite — is the Brooklyn Bridge. Anytime, in any weather. Look down through the wooden pedestrian planks, straight to the water. See the cars go by below you — noisy but removed. Like the city, the
bridge never sleeps — it’s always alive with pedestrians, bikers, joggers, taxis.

2. Golden Gate Bridge
On a perfect day on the Bay, look back at the city and look ahead to the scenery. Look below at the surfers and relax into their rhythms. It truly bridges the distance from the urban jungle to the different worlds of the suburbs, historical areas, wine country, redwoods.

3. Michigan Avenue Bridge
The best part: It bounces! Well, it’s more stable now. But especially before the 1992 mishap where half the bridge popped into the air, you’d bounce along as the buses drove past. Chicago’s unique because you can be right on
Michigan Avenue, right in the heart of the city, and still have a perspective of the skyline and architecture.

Thanks for letting me play!

Laura

]]> Comment on Favorite Walks Contest by Thomas http://blog.citylisten.com/2009/08/favorite-walks-contest/comment-page-1/#comment-85 Thomas Fri, 28 Aug 2009 17:32:56 +0000 http://blog.citylisten.com/?p=126#comment-85 1. Walking around Oxford University, England. To any Anglophile or Medieval history buff, walking around and through the various colleges and chapels is heavenly. I did it in 1985, long before Harry Potter made some of the interiors recognizable to millions of moviegoers. 2. Walking the hills, and the wharf district of San Francisco. The topography gives these streets a charm (and challenge) that few other cities can match. Add the subcultures and it is a veritable cultural feast. 3. Hoboken, NJ, yes Hoboken (Sinatra's birthplace). Not only have the magnificent views of the Hudson, it has vibrant Washington Street and sidestreets that still maintain the charm of cobblestone streets, brownstones and many small shops, eateries and stores that give it a unique character that cries out to "Walk My Square Mile." Thomas Roseland, NJ 1. Walking around Oxford University, England. To any Anglophile or Medieval history buff, walking around and through the various colleges and chapels is heavenly. I did it in 1985, long before Harry Potter made some of the interiors recognizable to millions of moviegoers.

2. Walking the hills, and the wharf district of San Francisco. The topography gives these streets a charm (and challenge) that few other cities can match. Add the subcultures and it is a veritable cultural feast.

3. Hoboken, NJ, yes Hoboken (Sinatra’s birthplace). Not only have the magnificent views of the Hudson, it has vibrant Washington Street and sidestreets that still maintain the charm of cobblestone streets, brownstones and many small shops, eateries and stores that give it a unique character that cries out to “Walk My Square Mile.”

Thomas
Roseland, NJ

]]> Comment on Favorite Walks Contest by roland http://blog.citylisten.com/2009/08/favorite-walks-contest/comment-page-1/#comment-83 roland Wed, 26 Aug 2009 21:09:44 +0000 http://blog.citylisten.com/?p=126#comment-83 My three favorite city walks would have to be, in no particular order: 1. Munich, Germany, especially through the Englisher Garten with a stop at the Pagoda for "ein Mass Bier". 2. Chicago, Illinois, start at Lincoln Park Zoo, cross over at North Avenue to the Lakefront and enjoy a phenomenal view of the skyline, then down past Oak Street Beach and continue on toward Water Tower and along Michigan Avenue and the view of the Tribune Tower and Wrigley Buildings in the evening from the Michigan Avenue Bridge are another highlight. 3. Rome, Italy. This was one of my all-time favorites, especially because of the historical significance of the city. One can't walk more than a few feet without seeing something from the Bible or the amazing fountains, churches, and architecture. An espresso at an outdoor cafe will top off the day's journey, or start it. Thanks. By the way, I'd choose a pair of Men's Halcyon's, size 10.5! Enjoy the Kuru tweets and this brought back some memories of good times when I lived in Europe as a student and my ten years in Chicago. Good luck with the entries. Sincerely, Roland My three favorite city walks would have to be, in no particular order:

1. Munich, Germany, especially through the Englisher Garten with a
stop at the Pagoda for “ein Mass Bier”.

2. Chicago, Illinois, start at Lincoln Park Zoo, cross over at North
Avenue to the Lakefront and enjoy a phenomenal view of the skyline,
then down past Oak Street Beach and continue on toward Water Tower and
along Michigan Avenue and the view of the Tribune Tower and Wrigley
Buildings in the evening from the Michigan Avenue Bridge are another
highlight.

3. Rome, Italy. This was one of my all-time favorites, especially
because of the historical significance of the city. One can’t walk
more than a few feet without seeing something from the Bible or the
amazing fountains, churches, and architecture. An espresso at an
outdoor cafe will top off the day’s journey, or start it.

Thanks.

By the way, I’d choose a pair of Men’s Halcyon’s, size 10.5!

Enjoy the Kuru tweets and this brought back some memories of good
times when I lived in Europe as a student and my ten years in Chicago.

Good luck with the entries.

Sincerely,

Roland

]]> Comment on Favorite Walks Contest by ann http://blog.citylisten.com/2009/08/favorite-walks-contest/comment-page-1/#comment-81 ann Tue, 25 Aug 2009 15:17:01 +0000 http://blog.citylisten.com/?p=126#comment-81 My favorite walks in the world are: Pismo Beach Pier (CA) Champs-Elysees Brooklyn Bridge Ann Seattle, WA My favorite walks in the world are:

Pismo Beach Pier (CA)

Champs-Elysees

Brooklyn Bridge

Ann
Seattle, WA

]]> Comment on Favorite Walks Contest by Helen http://blog.citylisten.com/2009/08/favorite-walks-contest/comment-page-1/#comment-80 Helen Tue, 25 Aug 2009 15:12:12 +0000 http://blog.citylisten.com/?p=126#comment-80 I love cities and have enjoyed many around the world. I have chosen 3 European cities to highlight. 1. Vienna, Austria. Walking the Ringstrasse encircles most of the city. All the sights are too numerous to mention so  I will highlight a few. We walk past the State Opera House to the Hotel Sacher and make plans to stop for a piece of the famour Sacher Torte later in the day. Kartner Strasse is a pedestrian walk lined with high end stores. Shopping is not my thing but we continue through this area until we come upon the Spanish Riding School, home of the Lippizzaner horses. No walk through Vienna would be complete without stepping inside the regal Schonbrunn Palace. 2. Budapest, Hungary. This city is divided by the Danube River in to Buda and Pest. This Capial city has special meaning to me because my parents come from Hungary. We start our walk at He ros Square, then off to the grand Parliament building for a tour of the inside chambers.  Crossing the Danube we ascend Castle Hill for a look at the Royal Palace and take in the view from the Fisherman's Bastion. 3. Prague, Czech Republic.  Lots of hills in this city. We strolled up and down the medieval lanes of the Old Tow n to Wenceslas Square which is Prague's cosmopolitan heart. Then we crossed the Charles Bridge for a breathtaking view of the city. The Old Town Square is filled with cafes, a fountain, and crowds of people enjoying this beautiful city. Helen Hatfield, PA (outside of Philadelphia I love cities and have enjoyed many around the world. I have chosen 3 European cities to highlight.

1. Vienna, Austria. Walking the Ringstrasse encircles most of the city. All the sights are too numerous to mention so  I will highlight a few.

We walk past the State Opera House to the Hotel Sacher and make plans to stop for a piece of the famour Sacher Torte later in the day. Kartner Strasse is a pedestrian walk lined with high end stores. Shopping is not my thing but we continue through this area until we come upon the Spanish Riding School, home of the Lippizzaner horses. No walk through Vienna would be complete without stepping inside the regal Schonbrunn Palace.

2. Budapest, Hungary. This city is divided by the Danube River in to Buda and Pest. This Capial city has special meaning to me because my parents come from Hungary. We start our walk at He ros Square, then off to the grand Parliament building for a tour of the inside chambers.¬† Crossing the Danube we ascend Castle Hill for a look at the Royal Palace and take in the view from the Fisherman’s Bastion.

3. Prague, Czech Republic.¬† Lots of hills in this city. We strolled up and down the medieval lanes of the Old Tow n to Wenceslas Square which is Prague’s cosmopolitan heart. Then we crossed the Charles Bridge for a breathtaking view of the city. The Old Town Square is filled with cafes, a fountain, and crowds of people enjoying this beautiful city.

Helen
Hatfield, PA (outside of Philadelphia

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