View from the Loeb Boathouse

When we recently visited the Loeb Boathouse Restaurant, a famous icon of Central Park, I took this image of the view of the lake.
Many diners prefer the deck where they can sit back and watch the rowboats and occasional gondola drift by on the Lake as they enjoy their meal. The Bethesda Terrace can be seen in the distance.

Flowers at the 55th Street Fair

Beautiful flower arrangement at last Saturday's 55th street fair.

OLYMPICS INSPIRED WINDRUNNER JACKETS at NIKETOWN on 57th Street

On display at NIKETOWN on 57th Street between 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue are country split windrunner jackets in country-specific patterns. The idea is to allow for the ultimate remix, splitting the jacket and re-combining colors and elements of a country's flag with another to create one's own mash-up culture style.

Niketown has been described as a fusion of fashion and sports arena, Nike's "motivational retail environment" and a large sports-gear emporium. Inspirational quotes in the floor, computer-driven foot sizers, and a heart-pumping movie shown on an enormous screen in the entry atrium make it hard to leave without something in the latest wick-away fabric or footwear design. Niketown is attractive, with five floors of shoes and athletic wear displayed in Lucite and polished-metal surroundings. "Museum" cases display Sneakers of the Rich and Famous, and you're assailed by images of celebrity pitchmen and women.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's 50th Anniversary

Today, the ALVIN AILEY AMERICAN DANCE THEATER celebrates its 50th Anniversary with free dance and drumming classes, food, prizes, kids' activities on West 55th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues. I took photos of the scenes at the celebration earlier this afternoon.

Ballerina Mime in Central Park

A ballerina mime in Central Park, 72nd Street entrance.

AEROBALLOON in CENTRAL PARK

I made this image of the Aeroballoon that flies over Central Park offering riders a spectacular view of the city. At left of the image are the towers of the San Remo. Below are the details of the Aeroballoon ride (from the official website).

When: July 25 to August 22, 2008:
7am - 10pm, weather permitting

Where: Cherry Hill, Central Park at 72nd Street, west of Bethesda Fountain

Cost: Adults: $25; children: $17.50. Only children over 40" tall may ride. Under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. No babies in baby carriers and no animals, please.



See the City As Never Before – Floating 30 Stories Above Central Park!
Basketed Balloon Over NYC’s Crown Jewel Marks 150th Anniversary of the Plan that Made the Park
To celebrate the 150th anniversary of Olmsted and Vaux's Greensward plan — the original design for the world's most famous park — the Central Park Conservancy and New York City Department of Parks & Recreation invite New Yorkers and visitors to see the City and the Park as they've never seen it before: floating in silence 30 stories in the air!

AeroBalloon™ is an anchored, helium-filled, state-of-the-art balloon that ascends to a height of 300 feet. The balloon will fly daily from July 25 to August 22, 2008 at Cherry Hill in Central Park, and will take up to four passengers at a time for a 10 minute ride. Riders are welcome from 7am to 10pm.

Get a spectacular daytime view of Central Park and bustling streets, or wait until sundown and float above dazzling city lights.

AeroBalloon has been wowing crowds for years at sites throughout the U.S. with its safe, American-made, non-combustible balloons.

Information: Call 646-827-6287. Learn more about the original design for Central Park and how the Central Park Conservancy has restored this urban oasis at www.centralparknyc.org.