Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Grand Central

New York City is potentially the most busy and bustling destination in America.  It remains a hot commodity as it is home to hundreds of attractions, restaurants, and more.  According to the U.S. Census Bureau in 2011 there is 8,244,910 proud New York City residents that find beauty, comfort and happiness in the quirky qualities of the Big Apple.  From Broadway to Times Square to Grand Central, the beauty of New York City is quite evident and the hidden unknown's within remain secretive to the average dweller wandering it's streets.  The secrets that even the most seasoned NYC resident are spread out all across the city.  Beneath City Hall contains a hidden subway station that has been inactive for over 65 years.  The architecture with it's high-arched ceilings, intriquite tiles and skylights, dazzle the abandoned station with sunlight.  Even more unknown is another underground subway station considered a "gallery" of street art.  The only ones that know of it's whearabouts are the artists and the attendee's of the "Underground Project's" opening night; a one night show.
cityhallsubway_v1_460x285.jpg
One of New York's City's most popular destinations contains multiple hidden gems unknown to most.  Grand Central Terminal, home to 68 shops, 35 dining options, subways, buses and taxi stands is a prime location for transportation and shopping.  One of it's secrets is Franklin Delano Roosevelt's underground passageway that lead to the Waldorf Hotel.  One thing the average person may not know of is the Metro-North Lost & Found Room.  There is an 80% recovery rate for lost items and a 100% recovery rate for laptop computers.  The room contains all of the lost items with tags of the time and location at which it was found.  Travelers with lost items can check the Metro-North website to see if their item had been turned in without having to travel there and risk no recovery.

whisperinggallery_v1_460x285.jpgGrand Central's most interesting secret is called the "Whispering Gallery."  It's an archway situated right outside of the Oyster Bar & Restaurant and it holds a compelling and mysterious acoustic property.  If one person stands at one side of the arch and another person stands at the arch diagonally across, they would be able to hear eachothers whispers as it travels over the arch.

The terminal also houses formerly secret tennis courts which have reopened and are open to the public.  The Vanderbilt Tennis Club includes a full-size tennis court, practice alleys, a fitness facility, lockers and a reception center. Prices to play at the club range from $90 to $250 for the day and private lessons run for $160-$195 per hour.  The courts reside on the 4th floor, a tough find for any New Yorker without prior knowledge of the whereabouts.


Resources:
http://www.grandcentralterminal.com/

Monday, February 4, 2013

Dr. Seuss Memorial


Dr. Seuss National Memorial at the Quadrangle
      Thinking back to one's childhood stems memories of cartoons, tinker toys and trips to the playground.  But the epitomization of most children's youth is the work of Dr. Seuss.  His whimsical drawings and far-fetched ideas draw the attention of any impressionable and imaginative mind.  His books entertain with creative characters and unique rhymes and are popular amongst all age groups.  Born Theodore Suess Geisel in Springfield, Massachusetts in 1904, Dr. Seuss had many other expidentures before committing to writing children's books. He worked in advertising, magazines, served in the army and won Oscars for his war documentaries.  The climax of his writing career initiated it all in 1937 with the publication of his first children's picture book, called And to Think I Saw it All on Mulberry Street.  Following this publication he proved in the rest of his books that it is possible to engage children with using a limited vocabulary while also teaching a lesson. Amongst his 46 books are the classics known to many as Green Eggs & Ham, The Cat in the Hat, Oh, The Places You'll Go, and many more.

         After his death in September of 1991, his books were translated into more than 15 languages and over 200 million copies were sold world wide spreading his childish cheer and exuberance into people's lives.  His books provided the source for eleven children's television specials, a musical on Broadway and a motion picture.  His other successes include two Academy awards, two Emmy awards, a Peabody award and the Pulitzer Prize.  The works of Dr. Seuss will continue to live on in written text as well as visual motion pictures. 

        All of his successes are depicted in the bronze statues at the Dr. Seuss National Memorial.  The sculpture garden is located at the Springfield Museums.  This location is ideal for the sculptures because most of Geisel's inspiration was from living in Springfield.  At the corner of the "Quadrangle" in Springfield sits a sculpture of Dr. Seuss and the Cat in the Hat, as well as Horton the elephant stepping out of an open book, with Thing One, Thing Two, Sam-I-Am, Sally and her brother and also Thidwick the Big-Hearted Moose.  Also at the Quadrangle is the storyteller, Gertrude McFuzz, the Grinch and his dog, Max, the Lorax, Yertle the Turtle.  Experience the lifesize reality of Dr. Seuss's most popular works and walk through an imaginative world of wonders.










Resources:
http://www.catinthehat.org/memorial.htm
http://childrensbooks.about.com/cs/authorsillustrato/a/drseuss.htm