Midtown Manhattan Time Lapse

City time-lapse videos have been growing in popularity, with one of the latest ones capturing Midtown Manhattan in all it's glory. Even the most indifferent New Yorkers have been moved by the incredible shots, gleaming lights and familiar sounds of the City that Never Sleeps.

What about you?

Minus 5 Opens on Midtown Hotel

Midtown Manhattan recently welcomed Minus 5 to its repertoire of tourist attractions. Located in the lobby of the New York Hilton Manhattan, the ice bar opened earlier this month. The venue, which is essentially an enormous walk-in freezer, has a temperature of 23 degrees Fahrenheit.

For a $20 fee, guests are provided with disposable gloves and parkas. Cocktails are served in ice glasses, or “in the rocks”, and the cavern is decorated with ice sculptures, an ice bar, and ice benches. The ambience is set with a reel of Top 40 hits such as “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun”. The Manhattan location is actually the third in the U.S.; two similar scenes can be found in Las Vegas.

VIP reservations can also be made through the hotel. For a fee of $95, this experience includes a drink, a photo and a take-away hat.

 

Bringing Independence Day to Life in NYC

4th of July is this week, and New York City will come alive with festivities. Families and friends across the nation will gather under firework-lit skies to celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Throughout the day people will commemorate the significant event with barbecues, historical tours, family reunions and so much more.

The Fraunces Tavern, located on Pearl St., offers an extraordinary, authentic way to memorialize the United States and its Founding Fathers. Established in 1762, 14 years before the Declaration of Independence was signed, the tavern was the regular haunt of many important figures throughout American history. George Washington himself bid his soldiers farewell at the very same venue after the Revolutionary War. Considered “New York’s premier historic dining experience,” The Fraunces Tavern genuinely brings history to life, as does its musem, which features manuscripts, books, paintings and objects from the Revolutionary Era.

The Fraunces Tavern Museum preserves thousands of manuscripts written by several of the nation’s founders, including George Washington and Nathan Hale. The Shapell Manuscript Foundation also preserves such documents, including a handwritten letter from President George Washington to Colonels John Fitzgerald and George Gilpin.

Other Independence Day tours and day trips in the New York area include the Boston Freedom Trail with the Paul Revere House, Bunker Hill and the site of the Boston Tea Party, or the South Street Seaport’s Past & Future exhibition.

The Amazing Spiderman and His Young Counterpart Hit Midtown Manhattan

The Amazing Spiderman has hit Manhattan once again, joined this time by his mini-me. Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone were spotted shooting scenes alongside a young Spiderboy for the upcoming sequel on Park Ave. and 52nd St. early last week.

Though the child's role has been kept quiet, he will definitely play a part in the battle against the villain Rhino, played by Paul Giamatti. The film, directed by Marc Webb, is expected to be the greatest movie ever produced in the state. It has created 3,500 jobs and hired 11,000 extras thus far.

Andrew Garfield, The Amazing Spiderman, with his Mini-Me in Midtown Manhattan

Is That Really Spiderman?

Yes, for those who happened to be in midtown Manhattan last week, it sure was.  52^nd Street and Park Avenue encountered a visit from both Spidey himself…along with what passers-by suspected could have been the new Spider-Boy.  The sightings was part of the filming of “The Amazing Spider-Man 2”.  While there has not been any confirmation or denial that the little boy dressed up as Spiderman is going to be Spider-Boy in the movie, he certainly looked the part.  And it equally remains unknown whether – if he has Spiderman’s little sidekick – he will be privy to the same powers.  But it was certainly fun to watch.

The movie, directed by Marc Webb, is due to be released year.  And there is good news for the state’s economy given that it is anticipated that the movie will generate up to 3,500 jobs along with roles for up to 11,000 extras, rendering it New York’s biggest movie ever to be made.  In addition, last year the franchise of Spiderman was rebooted with Andrew Garfield in the leading role and Emma Stone as Peter parker’s love interest, aka Gwen Stacy.

4 Easy Tips for Energy Saving This Summer

When people start talking about energy conservation and the environment, most listeners begin to sweat. They can’t imagine putting in the effort to compost their left-overs and they can’t envision living without air conditioning in the summer or cutting back on using any of their major appliances. However, conservation and saving on energy doesn’t have to cramp your lifestyle.  There are quite a few basic things the average  person can do that will have an impact on your energy expenses. It makes no difference whether you already see savings from a Retail Energy Provider like IDT Energy or not. You have the power to stay comfortable in your home and save.

Here are 4 surefire ways to conserve energy without compromising your comfort.

1.  Air-dry your towels: Many people spend a lot of time at the beach and pool in the summer. They tend to use a beach towel for two seconds and then to throw it into the hamper. Consider whether your towels really need to be washed before you dump them into the laundry. Maybe they can be used for the beach again tomorrow and maybe you can just air dry them for now. Beach towels are usually thicker than regular bath towels and they require more energy to dry. Why not skip one or two washings a week and save on that energy bill.

2. Cut the Shower Time: Many people don’t notice how much time they spend taking a shower. Studies have actually shown that the typical teenager can spend as much as 45 minutes in the shower. This is a huge water waste, not to mention a waste of the electricity or natural gas required to run your hot water heater, which costs you money. Suds up, rinse and get out.

3. Turn off your computer: "Sleep" is not the same thing as "off" to the computer. Studies have found that 75% of the energy that the home computer uses happens when the owner thinks it’s off. Make sure you actually turn it off.

4. Get your Water Heater Checked: This is a really simple idea. Have your plumber check your water heater to see if it is set to 140 degrees Fahrenheit versus 120. Most homes only need it set to 120 degrees to function properly. Having it at 140 or hotter is just a waste of heating and money. The U.S. Department of Energy actually estimates by lowering your water heater temperature by just 10 degrees, you could save 3-5% in energy costs.

American Girl Place Pajama Sleepover in Midtown Manhattan

Midtown Manhattan’s Benjamin Hotel is currently offering the exclusive “American Girl Place Pajama Sleepover.”

The package includes accommodations in a deluxe studio guestroom with two beds, or a suite. The room features a personalized welcome note, a gift bag with the American Girl travel bed, pillow and blanket for the doll, as well as milk and cookie turn-down services for both the guest and her dolls. The deal also includes access to a personal shopper at American Girl Place New York, amenities from Winks’ Kidzzz Club, an organic wool toddler pillow, and kid-sized robes.

American Girl dolls were released in 1986 by Pleasant Company. They focus mainly on different periods of American history. The company has been awarded the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Award eight times.