Radisson Martinique Web Sale!

Radisson Martinique Web sale!

Get 30% off rack rates when you book a reservation for any room type Now through November 26th, 2012 for any stay between January 1st,2013 through December 31, 2013. click here to reserve your room and receive this limited time offer! http://www.radisson.com/new-york-hotel-ny-10001/nynewyrk/home

The 86th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

 

The 86th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade begins in New York City at 9 a.m. EST on November 22, 2012.

The scale of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is immense: more than 3.5 million people view the parade live along the parade route, and more than 50 million viewers tune in to the television broadcast. Spectators watch in awe as 10,000 participants — including the nation's best marching bands, performance groups, giant helium balloons, breathtaking floats and the one-and-only Santa Claus — pass before their eyes.

This year is the 86th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. The Parade will kick off at 77th Street and Central Park West, and then march down to Columbus Circle where it will turn onto Central Park South. At 6th Avenue, the Parade veers south and marches from 59th Street to 34th Street, where it will make its final turn and stop in front of Macy's Herald Square.

Macy's Thanksgiving Parade Viewing Locations:

• From Central Park West: the west side of the street from 70th Street to Columbus Circle and on the east side of the street from 70th to 65th Street
• Columbus Circle: the west side of the street.
• 6th Avenue: between 59th and 34th Streets

To ensure a good viewing location, get there early. Spectators arrive as early as 6:30am.

Facts About Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

• The first parade in 1924 was called the "Macy's Christmas Day Parade" although it took place on Thanksgiving Day.
• Live animals including camels, goats, elephants, and donkeys, were a part of the parade that inaugural year.
• The original parade route was from 145th Street and Convent Avenue to 34th Street and Herald Square.
• The floats were pulled by horses. In the first parade a white steed that was to aid in the Ben-Hur float disappeared at the last minute before the start of the parade.
• In 1925 and 1926, bears, lions, and tigers were added to the live animals used, but the use of these animals had to be discontinued because they scared children.
• In 1927, Macy's introduces the world famous giant helium balloons. The first balloons included Felix the Cat and Toy Soldier
• 1928 saw the first release of the giant balloons into the air at the end of the line of march. The balloons promptly exploded after reaching a certain altitude.
• The balloons were redesigned and again released. Equipped with a return address label, Macy's offered a prize for their return.
• In 1932, Clarence Chamberlain, an aviator flying above New York City, catches the Pig Balloon in mid air in order to claim the prize money.
• Santa Claus has ended the parade every year except 1933, the only year in which he led the parade.
• The parade was cancelled in 1942, 1943, and 1944 due to World War II.
• In 1955, the parade telecast returns to NBC after a two year tun on CBS.
• Due to a helium shortage in 1958, the balloons are brought down Broadway on cranes.
• In 1969 the Macy's Parade Studio moves to its current home in Hoboken, New Jersey in a former Tootsie Roll factory.
• The Dino the Dinosaur balloon was inducted into the American Museum of Natural History in 1975 as an honorary member.
• In 1977, the "Parade Lady" Jean McFaddin takes the helm of the parade, which she leads for the next 24 years.
• In the 1980s, the smaller "novelty" balloons were introduced, including the Macy's stars and the 30 foot triple-scoop ice cream cone. "Falloons" were also introduced at this time. A combination of float and cold air balloon, this is a highlight of the creativity of the Macy's Parade Studio.
• In 1989, the parade marches on through its very first snowstorm.
• The 1990s saw the parade balloons adding new characters from the internet, video games, and contemporary cartoons. Sonic the Hedgehog, Ask Jeeves, and the Rugrats were just a few of these balloons.
• The parade has attracted a sea of celebrities. The years have seen Harpo Marx, Jackie Gleason, Diana Ross, Sammy Davis, Jr., Stevie Wonder, Tony Bennett, Barry Manilow, NSYNC, Shania Twain, and Christina Aguilera.
• Macy's is the world's second largest consumer of helium. The United States government is the first.
• If you laid every parade balloon since 1927 end to end they would stretch from Battery Park City to the Cloisters.
• More than 50,000 clowns have delighted millions of children along the parade route.

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Lineup

The nation's most beloved Parade will feature a host of new balloons, floats and special performances that will thrill millions of spectators. As the Parade marches on, fans will enjoy seeing returning giant balloon favorites including Kermit the Frog, Paul Frank's iconic monkey Julius, Sonic the Hedgehog, and Buzz Lightyear. Rolling down the center line, the famed spectacular's magical floating stages will transport viewers to worlds of whimsy and delight. For the 86th march, returning floating wonders include the ZhuZhu Pets® zhany ZHU-NIVERSE!, Discover's Frozen Fall Fun, the Oneida Indian Nation's True Spirit of Thanksgiving, and of course, the one-and-only Santa Claus on his magnificent high-flying sleigh.

2012 Participating Bands

• Banda Musical Delfines - Fortino Melgoza Gonzalez, Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico
• Father Ryan High School Marching Band, Nashville, Tennessee
• Kenton Ridge High School Marching Band, Springfield, Ohio
• Macy's Great American Marching Band, USA
• Niceville High School Marching Band, Niceville, Florida
• North Carolina A & T State University Marching Band, Greensboro, North Carolina
• NYPD Marching Band, New York
• Oak Ridge High School Marching Band, Conroe, Texas
• Saratoga High School, Saratoga, California
• United States Air Force Band, Washington, DC
• University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, Louisiana
• Wyoming All-State Marching Band, Wyoming

Balloons

• Hello Kitty
• Spongebob Squarepants
• Kermit the Frog
• Diary of a Wimpy Kid
• Julius
• Spiderman
• Kung Fu Panda
• Pikachu
• Ronald McDonald
• Pillsbury Doughboy
• Buzz Lightyear
• Sailor Mickey
• Sonic the Hedgehog

Floats

• Gift of Freedom
• Zhu-niverse
• Smurf Mushroom float
• Big Apple
• Bridge to the Future
• Marion-Carole Showboat
• Snoopy's doghouse
• Peprally
• Home baked goodness
• Elves raise the roof
• Dora's Christmas Carol Adventure
• On the roll again
• International Celebration clock tower
• Santa's Sleigh
• Woodland Family gathering
• Tom Turkey
• 1-2-3 Sesame Street
• True Spirit of Thanksgiving
• American Pride
• Fall Frozen Fun
• Christmas in Central Park

Ballonicles

• Kool-aid
• Aflac Duck

Clowns

• Funny Fire Brigage
• Breakfast Clowns
• Corny-Copia Clowns
• Funny Farm and Hoedown Clowns
• Nutty Prof. Einstiens and & Wacky Graduates
• Keystone Cops and Robbers
• Silly Seaside Clowns and Bathing Beauties
• Springtime Clowns
• Bananas and palm tree clowns
• Circus Clowns
• Birthday Party Clowns
• Holiday Clowns
• Funny Bone Medical Team
• Pre-K Clowns
• Malt Shop Clowns
• Pool Hall Clowns
• Half-baked holiday clowns
• rag doll clowns
• Santa's toy box Clowns
• Gnomes
• Sleepy Clowns
• Hi Roller Skating Clowns

Novelty Balloons

• Baseball
• Virginia
• Uncle Sam
• Pumpkins
• Planet Earth
• Harold the Policeman
• Harold the Fireman
• Geometric Balloons
• Football
• Charlie, Kit and CJ Christmas Elves
• Cloe the Holiday Clown
• Red Candy Cane
• Big Man Santa

Performance Groups

• Spirit of America Dance
• Stagedoor Manor
• Varsity Spirit Cheer

Photo courtesty of Dillon Works



Empire State Building

On Monday, September 10, New Yorkers saw the top of the iconic Empire State Building bathed in green light with a yellow trim. It looked beautiful, and the best vantage point from which to view it
was from Bryant Park, because the green and yellow scheme was in honor of the 20^th Anniversary of Bryant Park’s renovation.

The scene at the park that evening was a testament to the success we’ve had in transforming this once-forsaken space: square dancers kicking it up at The Southwest Porch; kids and their parents enjoying Le Carrousel; thirsty office workers celebrating the end of another workday at the Bryant Park Café, and hundreds more lingering in our iconic chairs before heading home. Just perfect. Even if those folks didn’t know the ESB was glowing for us, the lights sure added to the atmosphere.

THIS SEPTEMBER 11: HONOR, REMEMBER, REUNITE

“May the lives remembered, the deeds recognized, and the spirit reawakened be eternal beacons, which reaffirm respect for life, strengthen our resolve to preserve freedom, and inspire an end to hatred, ignorance and intolerance.”   

 

These words are part of the mission statement of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum at the World Trade Center in New York City. As the nation and world mark the 11th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, The Radisson Martinique shares the sentiments of the 9/11 Memorial and calls upon readers to make Sept. 11, 2012 a day of commemoration.  

 

Take a moment to remember and honor the thousands of innocent men, women, and children who died in the horrific attacks of September 11, 2001. Thank your local first responders for their dedication to protecting your community. Remember the many Americans who have served and are currently serving in our nation's military—many of whom enlisted as a response to the 9/11 attacks.  

 

Let us come together this 9/11 to honor, remember and reunite. For more information from the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, visit 911memorial.org.

St. Patrick's Day in New York City

The St. Patrick's Day Parade is one of New York City's greatest traditions. On this day, everyone is Irish in the Big Apple!

The Parade marched for the first time on March 17, 1762 - fourteen Years before the Declaration of Independence was adopted and today it is the largest Parade in the World.

This annual parade has been held for the past 248 years in honor of the Patron Saint of Ireland and the Archdiocese of New York. The Parade is reviewed from the steps of Saint Patrick's Cathedral by His Eminence Cardinal Edward Eagan, Archbishop of New York in the same manner as the Archbishop of New York did in the early days of the Parade at the Old St. Patrick's Cathedral in Lower Manhattan when the Parade was held in Lower Manhattan before the new St Patrick’s was built on Fifth Avenue.

Often regarded as the most popular parade in New York City, the Parade is the largest and most famous of the many parades held in the city each year.

The Parade starts at 44th Street at 11 am and is held every March 17th except when March 17th falls on a Sunday; it is celebrated the day before, Saturday the 16th, because of religious observances. The parade marches up Fifth Avenue past St. Patrick's Cathedral at 50th Street all the way up past the Metropolitan Museum of Art and American Irish Historical Society at 83rd Street to 86th Street, where the parade finishes around 4:30 - 5:00 pm

To this day, the St. Patrick's Day Parade remains true to its roots as a true marchers Parade by not allowing floats, automobiles and other commercial aspects in the Parade. Every year the Parade Committee hosts the 150,000- 250,000 marchers, along with many great bands; bagpipes, high school bands and the ever-present politicians in front of the approx 2 million spectators lining Fifth Avenue. The Parade is televised for four hours on WNBC Channel Four to over half a million households and will be web streamed for the first time in 2008.

The first St. Patrick's Day Parade in New York was held on lower Broadway in 1762 by a band of homesick Irish ex-patriots and Irish military serving with the British Army stationed in the American colonies in New York City. This was a time when the wearing of green was a sign of Irish pride and was banned in Ireland. The parade participants reveled in the freedom to speak Irish, wear the green, sing Irish songs and play the pipes to Irish tunes that were very meaningful to the Irish immigrants who had fled their homeland.
For the first few years of its existence, the parade was organized by military units. After the war of 1812, the Irish fraternal and beneficial societies took over the duties of hosting and sponsoring the event. Originally, the Irish societies joined together at their respective meeting places and moved in a procession toward Old St. Patrick's Cathedral in Lower Manhattan on Mott & Prince Streets where the Archbishop of New York would address the crowd before revelers dispersed to celebrate.

Around 1851 the individual societies merged under a single grand marshal and the size of the parade grew sharply. This was when the "Irish" 69th Regiment began to lead the marchers and the Ancient Order of Hibernians became the official sponsor. In the early 90's, the Parade was attacked for its traditional values and in the resulting law suites the organizers rights were up held all the way to the US Supreme court. These attacks continue today. In 1992 the National AOH directed all AOH organizations to form separate corporations to run events such as the Parade. The Parade is run today by members of the AOH under a separate corporation, St Patrick’s Day Parade Inc.

Since the first Parade, 248 years ago, the Parade today is still escorted by a unit of soldiers; and for the past 150 years or so“The Irish Infantry” National Guard 69th Regiment have lead the Parade up Fifth Avenue, and they are followed by the various Irish societies of the city, the thirty two Irish county societies, and various Schools, collages, Emerald societies, Irish-language, and nationalist societies.

The 2002 parade was dedicated to the 'Heroes of 9/11, ' honoring the police, fire and all rescue workers. At midday, the entire parade paused for two minutes, the Parade at that time stretched one and a half miles and the entire Parade turned around and faced South towards the “TWIN TOWERS” as the Cardinal said a prayer for all the victims of 9/11. This was the first time in history, in the City that never sleeps, one could hear a pin drop on Fifth Avenue, a fitting tribute to the men and women who lost their lives on that fateful day in 2001.

The 2002 Parade was the largest Parade to date with an estimated 300,000 marchers and three million spectators lining Fifth Avenue. This was the first time in history, the President of Ireland (Mary Mc Aleese) reviewed the Parade.

information courtesy of the official St. Patrick's Day Parade Website

New York City Restaurant Week 2012

Twice a year, in January/February and June/July, there is a unique opportunity to experience some of New York City's finest restaurants for a fraction of the usual price. Throughout the city, restaurants participate in "Restaurant Week" where they offer a three-course lunch for $24.07 (& some even offer dinner for $35). Restaurant Week is a great opportunity to try out a restaurant that may usually be out of your budget, or test some new restaurants with a little less financial risk.

You can make reservations for restaurant week (the earlier the better -- many of the Best Choices for Restaurant Week sell out quickly) by calling the restaurants directly or on OpenTable.com. OpenTable has a list of participating restaurants that take reservations through OpenTable, as well as search functions to show you which participating restaurants have availabilities during on your requested date/time. About 1/2 of the restaurants participating in Restaurant Week allow you to make reservations through OpenTable, but if you're making a reservation for dinner, be sure that your restaurant is participating, as their search tools show availabilities for dinner for restaurants that are only offering a Restaurant Week menu at lunch. That said, registration on OpenTable is easy, and you can collect points toward dining gift certificates by booking online.

NYC Winter Restaurant Week runs January 16- February 10, 2012 (Monday - Friday)