FLATIRON BUILDING (FULLER BUILDING)

A week ago, I took this photo of the FULLER BUILDING. This building is more popularly known as the FLATIRON BUILDING because its triangular shape, only six feet wide at its rounded narrow end, resembles a flat iron. The building is located at 175 Fifth Avenue, on a triangular island block at 23rd Street, Fifth Avenue, and Broadway, facing Madison Square. It was designed by Chicago's DANIEL BURNHAM in the Beaux-Arts style. Like a classical Greek column, its limestone and glazed terra-cotta façade is separated into three parts horizontally. Since it was one of the first buildings to use a steel skeleton, the building could be constructed to 285 feet (87 m), which would have been very difficult with other construction methods of that time. It was one of the tallest buildings in New York City upon its completion in 1902, a time when there were so few tall buildings that you could be seen from from Central Park. It was also one of the first buildings to become a romantic symbol of New York.

BOATHOUSE RESTAURANT

One of my favorite brunch places is the BOATHOUSE RESTAURANT in Central Park. I took this photo of the restaurant in early September from the Bethesda Fountain.

From http://www.thecentralparkboathouse.com -

"Located at the northeastern tip of the Lake, stands the Loeb Boathouse that houses the Boathouse Restaurant, a famous icon of Central Park. Overlooking the Lake it is the perfect place to dine on a relaxing afternoon lunch or romantic dinner in the warmer months.

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 a salad or refined fish platter.

It is easy to lose oneself in this magical atmosphere and truly forget you are still in the City. Swans and ducks frequently approach the restaurant's deck in search for a friendly handout.

From the restaurant’s seasonal outdoor terrace, you can see Bethesda Terrace in the distance.

Catering is also provided in a large room on the northern wing devoted reserved for private parties and weddings. There is also a small outdoor casual bar that is frequently enjoyed by many.

During the summer months the chatter of dinnerware, glasses and happy voices resonate in the air, as the crowds grow larger and larger. With so many people mingling together, it is definitely the place to dine, enjoy the great view and be seen".

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN MINI CONCERT on the TODAY SHOW at ROCKEFELLER PLAZA

Video provided by "Darulezz"

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN and the E STREET BAND performed live earlier today at the ROCKEFELLER PLAZA on NBC’s TODAY SHOW. The plaza was packed with people for this live concert which started at 8:30 AM. Springsteen was on the show to launch his new CD, "Magic."

In one number called "Livin in the future," Springsteen sang about current events...things that are happening now but shouldn't be happening.

Video provided by "thejoshuablog"

TOM'S RESTAURANT

When I visited the Morningside Heights campus of Columbia University recently, I made an image of a diner nearby called TOM’S RESTAURANT. It is located at Broadway and 112th Street. It became a popular draw for tourists because this restaurant was used for exterior shots of the diner scenes in the popular TV sitcom SEINFELD. The show recently ranked the second biggest earner in TV syndication, 10 years after the last episode aired.

2880 Broadway
New York City, NY 10025-7848
+1 212 864 6137
Open Hours
6a-1:30a Su-W, 24-hrs Th-Sa

PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT ARROYO DOES BROADWAY

Philippine President GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, in New York for three days to attend the 62nd United Nations General Assembly, squeezed into her tight schedule a visit to Broadway. She attended today's matinee performance of the Broadway revival of LES MISERABLES at the Broadhurst Theatre, 235 West 44th Street. It's been written that President Arroyo's favorite "international performer" is Filipino singer/actress LEA SALONGA who stars as FANTINE in Les Miz until October 21. Other cast members who are of Filipino descent are ALI EWOLDT (Cosette) and ADAM JACOBS (Marius). Mrs. Arroyo posed for photos with Salonga, Ewoldt and Jacobs on stage after the show when the audience has left. Due to tight security, the only image I managed to make is an unpresidential silhouette with a Mamma Mia poster as background outside the Broadhurst Theatre after the performance. Mrs. Arroyo also attended the Clinton Global Initiative, which was organized in 2005 by her former classmate in Georgetown University, former US president Bill Clinton. While the president's visit to the theatre district was a pleasant respite, Mrs. Arroyo was hounded later by some Filipino activists outside the Waldorf over the broadband scandal, political killings and a nurse recruitment agency. Mamma Mia!

MUSEUM OF SEX

In addition to the big art museums such as the Metropolitan Museum, Guggenheim Museum and MOMA, Manhattan boasts numerous smaller unique museums including the MUSEUM OF SEX. This museum, the "educational sexual epicenter," is located at 233 Fifth Avenue near 27th Street in Manhattan. Founded by Daniel Gluck, the museum opened on October 5, 2002. It is an organization dedicated to "the history, evolution and cultural significance of human sexuality." The museum focuses on a variety of sexual preferences and subcultures, including lesbian and gay history and erotica, BDSM, pornography, and sex work. Although the museum's exhibits are presented in an educational format, they feature explicit content. Because of this, visitors must be 18 years old or older. The official mission of the Museum of Sex is "to preserve and present the history, evolution, and cultural significance of human sexuality. In its exhibitions, programs and publications, The Museum of Sex is committed to open discourse and exchange, and to bringing to the public the best in current scholarship."

Museum of Sex
233 Fifth Avenue (@ 27th Street)
New York, NY 10016
General Information: (212) 689-6337