Skylark Lounge Hits New York

If you’re looking for a place to see and be seen in Midtown, this might just be it. Located on above the 30^th floor of 530 Seventh Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, Skylark Lounge includes a bar and soon-to-open terrace. It required two years of construction and an $11 million investment.

As Savitt Partners Founder and President Robert Savitt explained, “I have worked in this area for more than 30 years and we have over 300 tenants. I know so many people and everyone had the same complaint, ‘Boy, we have nowhere to go to.’”

The bar is open Monday through Friday, with weekends reserved for weddings, private dinners and other events.  In May, when the rooftop bar and terrace are open for the 141 people they will hold, people will have a view of the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building and the New Year’s Evve ball drop.

As Savitt explained his connection to the Garment District and to his vision, “My whole thing with the Skylark is that it will not only keep the fashion people that are here but it will also bring the ones who left back because now there is a place to eat and drink.”

The menu, created by Awerbuch and Kirsch, are sliders, lobster tacos and French frieds and more. The general manager, Andres Rizo, keeps everything running smoothly from 4:30 pm until midnight.

Skylark Lounge is definitely the new place to be.

Dr. Harvey Finkelstein on How New Yorkers Deal with Back Pain

Lower back pain is a major complaint of young adults throughout the world.  Particularly in America though, a substantial amount of cases are reported annually.  Indeed, according to RC Lawrence of the National Arthritis Data Workgroup, data from the national survey showed that every year, around 15 percent of adults report “frequent back pain or pain lasting more than two weeks.”

There are a variety of methodologies employed to try to tackle this issue. Some individuals, such as Dr. Harvey Finkelstein, take a holistic approach to treating these symptoms.  Together with his staff, Finkelstein looks at his patients as “individuals,” and tries to figure out what will be the most effective treatment method for each one.

While over the years researchers have struggled to find a reason why lower back pain is so widespread, little has been conclusive. Thus, while no definitive solution is available at this time, it is important for pain specialists to look at each case individually – in a holistic manner – such as Finkelstein and his staff do.

What pain management experts have concluded however, is that there are a variety of known causes of back pain.  This includes: repetitive stress, chronic illness, pinched nerves and workplace-related injuries.  Today, there are a whole slew of safe and effective therapies that can really alleviate back pain, enabling the patient to resume their day-to-day activities in a most normal way as possible.

NY To Open Luxury Bathroom Facility

Commuting New Yorkers and city visitors will be able to relieve themselves without concerns for their hygiene as soon as this summer, thanks to a new project in Manhattan.

Wayne Parks, an entrepreneur from Fairfield, CN, is opening New York’s first “luxury bathrooms and private day storage”. A self-proclaimed germaphobe, Parks came up with the project idea after touring the city (and its public restrooms) with his family. Posh Stow and Go, as he calls it, will provide commuters with access to clean facilities throughout the day. The first location will be in Midtown Manhattan near Penn Station and Grand Central Station.

Posh Stow and Go will cover 3,000 square feet, and features spacious individual bathroom stalls as well as private showers. The facilities will be open from 9:00am to 11:00pm, 363 days a year. Personal storage lockers will also be provided to members.

Patrons must sign up for a membership in order to use the Posh Stow and Go facilities. The membership fee $15, and there are also packages for three, six or ten days at a time. Those cost $8, $7 and $6 respectively.

 

7-Eleven Expands in Manhattan

7-Eleven, America’s beloved convenience store, has been working hard to expand in Manhattan since 2011. Though the chain struggled a bit in the beginning, it has since opened 37 stores in NY, with its five newest venues opening in the past six months.

In lieu of its rapid expansion, 7-Eleven launched an innovation group aimed at testing new digital offerings for customers. The project, which began two years ago, has tested products ranging from Amazon Lockers to automated key-making kiosks.

"When a retailer comes to New York City, you have to win over the city and earn your spot- you can’t just come in with your normal concept,” Johannes Leonardo’s chief executive Mike Duda said. “Utilities like the Amazon Locker and other things are something smart and extra that you can’t get somewhere else.”

The chain is also making some changes, including its new fresh salad options as well as craft beer sales. It will be changing its appearance a bit as well, softening harsh lighting and colors with new awnings and other aesthetic features. In the past, the convenience store chain has dealt with complaints from local blogs and activists. The store hopes its new improvements will help ease some of the neighborhood’s concerns while continuing to attract business from both Midtown residents and visitors.

 

New York Ancient Art Gallery Unveils New Exhibition



'Sacred Scents and Flames from the Ancient World'-
Phoenix Ancient Art

Phoenix Ancient Art, a dealer of rare and exquisite antiquities, recently unveiled a new exhibition called “Sacred Scents and Flames from the Ancient World.” The gallery, which will be displayed at the art dealer’s New York gallery, will showcase numerous items that were previously unpublished.

“The exhibition gives a fascinating opportunity to see an important selection of ancient lamps and the incense burners and to explore how the ancient civilizations of Pre-Classical and Classical world designed their lighting devices,” explained Ali Aboutaam, president of Phoenix Ancient Art.

“From the very beginning, various religions worshipped the eternal, divine flame, and even the most powerful kings had to pay a tribute to a flame. Incense, which is closely linked to fire and flame, quickly became the important element in the liturgical ceremonies in various religions,” he continued. “An Islamic bronze censer shaped as a feline, which is dated to the 11^th century A.D., is a masterpiece of the bronze cast technique; its surface is an open work in the shape of floral motifs, which allowed the perfumed smoke to escape and spread.”

Mr. Aboutaam went on to say that “Beside sensational gold and silver incense burners, elaborate and also expensive bronze lamps, there is a great number of rather simple clay Roman lamps which were apparently affordable for many at that time, but what an amazing information a contemporary collector can get looking at their reliefs. The bucolic scenes inspired by Virgil’s verses; a libation onto a small altar accompanied by a music; the images of Capitoline deities, the gladiatorial fight- it is like the life of the great Rome is reviving on these small representations.”

Sculpture Aims to Help New Yorkers Think Big

A new sculpture is up in Manhattan, and it is impressing Midtowners and tourists alike. Made from bronze and standing 12 feet tall, Jim Rennert's "Think Big" is located on 57th, and aims to encourage passersby to think big, and realize what people can accomplish both as individuals and as a race.
According to Rennert, the sculpture took five months to make.

IDT Energy Offers Incentives to New Customers

Electricity consumers living in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Illinois are eligible to participate in an innovative money saving plan when they sign up as a new customer with IDT Energy. There are two parts to the offer for new customers:

• A maximum of $50 on one month of electric service to be paid in the form of a rebate after the third billing cycle. In addition a second month of free electricity will be given, also with a maximum of $50, which will be rebated during the ninth month after sign-up.

• For no additional cost IDT Energy is offering an appliance protection plan for 6 months. Customers can choose to insure either their washing machine, dryer, oven or refrigerator. The plan does not require the customer to pay a deductible payment, nor are there any exclusions if the appliance has any pre-existing conditions. The plan covers both parts and labor, providing the customer with no unexpected or sudden bills for repairing their appliance.

Customers who already receive their electricity from IDT Energy are also eligible for a different money-saving plan. These customers can enjoy a 10% rate discount for any monthly Home Services plan which IDT offers through their Complete Protection service.

Residents of New York State are not yet eligible for either offer yet, but this program should be available to New York residents soon.