Fifth Annual "Summer Streets" 2012

Summer Streets is an annual celebration of New York City's streets. During this event, nearly seven miles of Manhattan streets are closed to vehicular traffic and open for everyone to play, run, walk and bike. The event takes place on three consecutive Saturdays (August 4, 11 and 18) from 7 AM to 1 PM. This year's event features rock climbing at Spring Street, free bike helmet at 51st Street, a zip line at Foley Square, dance and exercise lessons, and of course, a pleasant, car-free stroll along Park Avenue from Brooklyn Bridge to Central Park. There are also art installations and free food and beverage samples in a couple of rest stops. This event is free.

"Alighiero Boetti: Game Plan" at the Marron Atrium of the Museum of Modern Art

On view at the Marron Atrium of the Museum of Modern Art are artworks by Italian artist Alighiero Boetti including woven wool-and-cotton kilims. The exhibit runs through October 1.

Chrysler Building Crown at Night

The Chrysler Building in midtown Manhattan is renowned and recognized for its terraced crown. There are two sets of lighting in the top spires and decoration, the V-shaped lighting inserts in the steel of the building itself, and the floodlights that are on mast arms directed back at the building.

New Amsterdam Market

New Amsterdam Market is held every Sunday (11 AM - 4 PM), rain or shine in a sheltered outdoor site fronting the Fulton Fish Market, between Beekman Street and Peck Slip. The market features produce, fruit, fish, meats, dairy, breads, cheeses, and a variety of specialty products like chocolate, as well as seasonal market fare made with all regional ingredients. New Amsterdam Market also hosts a number of special events celebrating regional food, including our Third Annual Ice Cream Sunday on August 19, the FSNYC Tomato Festival on August 26, Eat Your Vegetables! with chef Arthur Potts Dawson on September 9, and the first annual East River Moon Festival on September 30. Check out the New Amsterdam Market website for more information.

Sunflowers at a Korean Deli

During summer months, sunflowers (Helianthus annuus) are commonly found oustside Korean delis together with other flowers and plants for sale. Named for their brilliant yellow petals and sun-loving habits, many sunflowers have yellow petals with yellow centers, but some have dark centers. The dark centers typically are due to the variety or to seed maturity. Korean Deli is a New York essential found in almost every corner in Manhattan. 

"Non-Violence" Sculpture at the United Nations Headquarters

Permanently installed outside the United Nations Headquarters in midtown Manhattan is a sculpture called "Non-Violence." This "knotted gun" piece was created by Karl Fredrik Reutersward. It was one of the first three versions of the sculpture, bought by the Luxembourg government and offered to the UN in 1988. It was said then that:

"With Non-Violence, Carl Fredrik Reuterswärd has not only endowed the Untited Nations with a cherished work of art; he has enriched the consciousness of humanity with a powerful symbol. It is a symbol that encapsulates, in a few simple curves, the greatest prayer of man: that which asks not for victory, but for peace."