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Monday, October 31, 2011

How to Hand Out Water at the New York City Marathon

Volunteer at the ING New York City Marathon

This Sunday brings back an annual Autumn tradition as the ING New York City Marathon hits 26.2 Miles of pavement throughout the five boroughs. To be a part of it, you could cram the sidewalks with an estimated crowd of two million of your closest friends. Perhaps you’ll get lucky and land a choice viewing point from a packed corner. 

However, the Big Adventure has a better option: Volunteering at an Aid Station or as a Course Marshall for 41st running of the ING New York City Marathon.

Speaking from experience, volunteering is an incredibly exciting and fun option for getting involved with the race. For the true “part of the race” sensations, try to volunteer on the course either as an Aid Station attendant or a Course Marshall in charge of guiding runners in the right direction. A Course Marshall! Think of the prestige with a title like that. They even have added Entertainment Volunteers this year who assist in managing and supporting the bands that are hired to play along the course and pumping up the crowd and reporting back with feedback on the marathon music.

At the Aid Stations, your charge is to be part of a fifty-plus person team that prepares and hands out water to each runner. You'll replenish fluids from everyone to the elite race-leaders to your office co-worker struggling through their first ever marathon.

When handing out water and Gatorade, don’t be surprised if you find you’ve suddenly become the most beloved and desired person in NYC. Grateful runners – fast and slow – will snatch cups from your hand and throw them down mercilessly at your feet. And, yes, you’ll even see a few cases of the dreaded, infamous bloody nipple caused by shirt chafing. You may have a choice of mile markers, but the stations in Central Park towards the end of the course are usually regarded as the best. In short: it is a rare and unique volunteering experience that allows you to see an amazing race up close and personable.

But the best part? Volunteering tends to be much easier on the legs than actually, you know, running the marathon. You must by 18, work the requested few hours and you’ll get some official gear too. For more info & to sign up, visit this page on the office ING NYC Marathon site. Sign up soon; the race is this Sunday:


http://www.ingnycmarathon.org/course_vols.htm


http://volunteers.nyrr.org/login.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fraces.aspx  


And some bonus Marathon info for you. This event tomorrow night (11/1) to prep for the race seemed pretty nifty:Apple Store Event in NYC: NYRR's digital technologies evangelist will present "Running and Technology: Made for Each Other" at the Upper West Side Apple Store (Broadway at West 67th St) on Tuesday, 11/1 at 6:00 p.m. Come to this free marathon-week event to learn about all the ways technology can help you achieve your running goals! 

NYC Today - Skating the Ice Rink at Rockefeller Center


Every day, we post a one minute guide to one great thing happening today in New York City. We list doings that are inexpensive or completely free, social and 100% unique to New York. Designed for the curious local or savvy tourist, we aim to expose the eccentric and obvious all over NYC. Check back every morning to crack open a new nutshell

Skating the Ice Rink at Rockefeller Center 
 
In case the four inches of snow this weekend didn’t deliver the memo, not only is Fall upon us, it is quickly turning into Winter. Lucky for you, NYC has several ways to handle brisk winter chill. For example, there are over a dozen public ice skating rinks throughout the city, many of which have already opened for the season.

The most well known is The Rink at Rockefeller Center which is celebrating its big 75th Anniversary this year. As famous as it is crowded, skating at the rink under the statue of Prometheus is about as iconic NYC as you can get.  While it’s not the biggest rink in the city, it does have the advantage of being smack in the middle of Midtown. Apparently, the 250,000 people who visit the outdoor Ice Skating rink every year agree.

They keep the lines long and ice relatively spacious by only allowing 150 people to lace up at a time. The secret? Go early in the season and dodge the massive, massive December crowds. Right now, there is a $6 midday deal for lunch skating from11:30 AM to 1:00 PM, and crowds are usually minimal before 4:00 PM.  Also, all skating sessions are only $10 for weekdays and $14 on weekends through November 3rd. Not quite the Scott Hamilton of the Big Apple? The Rink also offers private lessons and group events. 

When: Rink is open now through April, Discounted Skate through 11/3. 9:00 AM- 10:30 PM Monday-Thursday. 8:30 AM- Midnight Friday-Sunday.
Where: Rockefeller Center on 48th Street between 5th Avenue & 6th Avenue
Cost: Between $6 and $14 depending on the session.
Category: Outdoor, Classic NYC, Sports, Tourists
Good For: Groups, Kids, Savvy Tourists,

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Free in NYC Today - Two Halloween Desserts You Must Try


Every day, we post a one minute guide to one great thing happening today in New York City. We list doings that are inexpensive or completely free, social and 100% unique to New York. Designed for the curious local or savvy tourist, we aim to expose the eccentric and obvious all over NYC. Check back every morning to crack open a new nutshell

Two Halloween Desserts You Must Try
Trouble getting in the All Hallows Eve Spirit with a freak October Snowstorm? Wondering if you should just skip this particular holiday all together and get the snow boots set for a long winter? We say Poppycock! All you need is the right, delicious treat to re-engage your love for Halloween. Here are two must try treats from some always-amazing confectioneries. Custom made for the season, they won’t be around long:

The Haunted Halloween Sundae at Dylan’s Candy Bar Dylan’s is an ever-expanding Upper East Side dream made of candy, sweets and treats. Items that you loved as a child and items you’ve never heard of (or thought possible). Once you’re done perusing the pre-packaged goods, visit the café on the third floor today and wrap your hands around the Haunted Halloween Sunday. What’s in it? Pumpkin Ice Cream, Caramel mixed with Candy Corn, Hot Fudge, Peanut Butter Cups, Whipped Cream, and Chopped Peanuts. Don’t forget the cherry on top. Oh yeah. 


The Cookies ‘n Scream Sundae at Serendipity 3 Just around the corner from Dylan’s, Serendipity is perennially known for Frozen Hot Chocolate, Sundaes, that adorable John Cusack movie and, yeah, long waits.  It’s still worth it to get your hands on the Cookies ‘n Scream Sundae. This dessert is as much visual spectacle as it is deliciousness. The vanilla ice cream and fudge Sundae is loaded with horror-themed extras: blood-red Raspberry Sauce? Gummy Earthworms? Crazy Legs Skeleton Lollipops? Kudos to the demented chef who comes up with these ingredients. ($19, 10% goes to the Wildlife Conservatory Fund)


When: Now through (at least) Monday night, 10/31
Where: Both shops are within blocks of each other- Dylan’s is located at 1011 3rd at 60th Street & Serendipity is at 225 East 60th between 2nd and 3rd.
Category: Halloween, Desserts, Treats, Upper East Side
Good For: Groups, Kids, Walking Tours, Foodies, People who like deliciousness
More Detailshttp://www.dylanscandybar.com/

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Free in NYC Today-The Conan O’Brien Art Exhibit


Every day, we post a one minute guide to one great thing happening today in New York City. We list doings that are inexpensive or completely free, social and 100% unique to New York. Designed for the curious local or savvy tourist, we aim to expose the eccentric and obvious all over NYC. Check back every morning to crack open a new nutshell

The Conan O’Brien Art Exhibit
Do you support Team Coco?  In celebration of Conan O’Brien and his talk show returning to NYC for one week next month, The New York Museum of Conan Art (or the Coco MoCa) is now open. 

The Coco MoCa is a temporary art gallery located on the 2nd floor at The Time Warner center at Columbus Circle. The gallery features fan-art inspired by the cartoonish muse that is Conan O’Brien. The installations are diverse in style and medium, hilarious, and in some cases, show some real talent. 

The free exhibit also features audio commentary by O'Brien & co-host Andy Richter, various giveaways, and “The Conan Loveseat Experience” which is apparently, “a giant robot couch that moves around, gives you a photo and more”. Just another sample of the surreal lunacy that is the trademark Team Coco humor.

When: Now through Thursday, November 3rd – 9:00 AM- 9:00 PM
Where: The Shops at Columbus Circle, 2nd Floor
Cost: Free 
Category: Museums, Art Gallery, Comedy, Pop Culture, TV Shows, Surreal Sculptures
Good For: Groups, Shopping, Visitors to Central Park or Lincoln Center