My Urban Sherpa

John Giorno Poems

Friends describe me as an eternal optimist. I have my other days as well. On my pessimistic - or more realistic days - I hear John Giorno poems. These are my favorite.

In Good Company Workplaces

If getting back to work means finding a place to work — mission accomplished.

In Good Company offers work spaces, meeting rooms, places to collaborate and space to be alone. With wi-fi, printers, fax machines, water, coffee, storage / locker space and a receptionist — all you need is your laptop and time.

To liven things up, In Good Company offers opportunities to meet, mix and mingle with a growing community of women entrepreneurs who offer powerful connections and opportunities to collaborate. Business-building seminars, workshops and luncheons help you expand your expertise, re-tool and rejuvinate; cocktail minglers and salon forums provide fun networking opportunities

In Good Company Workplaces is located at 16 West 23rd Street, 4th Floor, NY, NY.

Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical Garden

Today is the last day to enjoy the Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical Garden.

Model trains and trolleys wind on tracks past more than 140 architectural gems — botanical replicas of the Empire State Building, Brooklyn Bridge, Little Red School House, the Statue of Liberty and Yankee Stadium — all created from orange slices, cinnamon sticks, poppy pods, pine cones and other plants.

Tickets are $20/adults, $10/children and should be reserved in advance.

Outsider Art Fair

The Outsider Art Fair continues today and tomorrow, at 7 West 34th Street.

Shown are works by self-taught artists, including my favorite — Bill Traylor.

Admission is $20 and includes a catalogue.

If you can’t make it to the exhibition - you can enjoy the flavor of the show online.

Lovely new addition for Port Authority Patrons

Along with the excellent Muji shop in the lobby of the swanky new New York Times building, is a Dean & DeLuca cafe. With bar stools, cafe tables, and service to go — commuters will no longer be left with chips and Diet Coke for dinner.

Fitness Pass NY

If you have resolved to get into better shape, and also to spend less $$$ in 2009 - try the American Health and Fitness Alliance Fitness Access Passbook. With benefits as long as it’s name - the book offers 1 / 2 complimentary visits, or 1 week / 1 month access to the best fitness facilities in New York.  There are three books; Fitness for healthclubs that includes coupons for 10 one-on-one training sessions, Yoga that includes two complimentary classes at our favorite yoga center - Jivamukti - one on training, and one-on-one sessions; and a Pilates passbook with class, mat and private classes.  Each book is $75.

What we need for 2009.

Whatever you have resolved to do in 2009, please add some resolve about who you want to be.

WISDOM, a spectacular work of Andrew Zuckerman — a book, an exhibition, a conversation — offers daily inspiration.

Polar Rink at AMNH

Enjoy the skating rink at AMNH.

The rink is open week-days from noon to 8pm, Friday & Saturday from 11am–10pm, and Sunday from 11am to 8pm, through March 1.

The Polar Rink at American Museum of Natural History is located at 79th Street and Columbus Avenue.

Wintuk at Madison Square Garden

Cirque du Soleil offers a magical evening or afternoon; full of acrobatics, aerobatics, music, dance, skateboarding, BMX tricks, and fun.

Through January 4 — see if you can secure seats online.

New Year’s Day delight

Enjoy Jivamukti Yoga; Open Classes with Shri Sharon Gannon and Shri David Life
Thursday January 1 & Friday January 2.
Jan. 1: 4pm open class With David Life
Jan. 2: 4pm open class With Sharon Gannon

Jivamukti is located at 841 Broadway , 2nd floor.
New York, NY 10003
Tel: (212) 353-0214