My Urban Sherpa

New York Fitness Pass

The best holiday gift for New Yorkers may be one or all three amazing coupon books from the American Health and Fitness Alliance that permit you entree at New York’s best health and fitness facilities in the city.

The Fitness PassBook includes 600 passes for complimentary admission to160 +  health and fitness clubs in New York (and the boroughs). Each pass permits a minimum of two free visits per club, some passes permit a one month membership.

The Yoga Passport includes 350 passes for free admission to 125 of the best Yoga, Dance, and Pilates Studios in New York. Each pass is good for a minimum of two free visits, with many passes good for an week or the month including Jivamukti, Exhale, Laughing Lotus, Mark Morris Dance and OM.

The Pilates Passport includes 85 passes for free classes and one-on-one or duet private sessions at over 40 of the best Pilates Studios in New York. Each pass is good for a minimum of two free classes per studio, with a number of passes good for one-on-one or duet sessions on the Pilates Reformer, Tower, or other apparatus at studios including RE:AB, Mark Morris, and Pilates Reforming NY.

Each book costs $75 - and when they say they include the best facilities — it’s true — and the coupons are accepted without reservation.   It may be the best present you buy yourself.

Holiday Shopping

If Holiday Shopping means a new bottle of olive oil, select spices, and bags full of fall produce, head to Union Square. Running from  14th Street  to 18th Street, between Broadway  and Park Avenue South - Union Square offers the ideal shopping grounds for delicious holiday recipes from Union Square Cafe.

E.J.Camp Photography Exhibition of TIDES at SEAN NY

EJ CAMP, celebrity portrait photographer whose career has straddled NY and LA since the 1990s is exhibiting a new body of seascapes entitled “TIDE” at Sean in Soho through November 23, 2009.

The exhibition includes black and white giclee prints of the water — calm and in full force, photographed by the artist in Orient Point and printed in her New York Studio.

SEAN is the upscale haberdasher at 199 Prince Street, between Sullivan and McDougal.

Hours of operation are  Monday through Saturday from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM and Sundays from noon to 7:00 PM.

Fine Art & Antique Dealers Show, October 16 - 22 at The Armory

The Fine Art & Antique Dealers Show is taking place  Friday October 16 through Thursday October 22, 2009.
The Park Avenue Armory, Park Avenue at 67th Street, New York, NY 10065.

Top Shop

move over Uniglo, UK’s Top Shop is open in Broadway and Broome Monday through Saturday, 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM and Sunday 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM.

Preparing for Passover

If you are busy preparing for Passover - you’ll be glad to get some help at Zabar’s, which offers all the ingredients to prepare your grandmother’s recipes yourself, or a little help by way of the prepared food aisles.

Zabar’s is located at 79th Street and Broadway.

Retail Therapy at Miraval Living

Friday April 3rd, Saturday the 4th, and Sunday the 5th - donate new or gently worn shoes, bags, scarves, or jewelry to Bottomless Closet and gain admission to Retail Therapy at Miraval Living, 515 East 72nd Street.  Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres will accompany an afternoon of shopping with M Missoni, Lancome, Tory Burch, Emma & Posh, Hooch Bogs, Haute Hippie, others.

For more information,…

Preparing for Passover?

Uptown, you may be visiting Zabar’s, downtown - you’ll want to visit Russ & Daughters. From out of town - place your order today.

Stay Warm Stylishly

Whether or not you’ll be free to frolick in the snow, you can stay warm stylishly this week with a snappy jacket from Burton’s.

Burton’s is located at 106 Spring Street in Soho.

Shopping Solution for a Rainy Day

If you’d planned to enjoy today’s spring temperature by strolling up and down 5th Avenue - think again.  Though there is a mall in town - even with the rain - we can’t recommend it. (Though the Time Warner Center’s 3rd floor offers the best views of the Macy’s Day Parade - we reserve recommending it for that event only.)  For a dry day of shopping,  dining or touring, head to Grand Central.

Grand Central offers a great selection of holiday shops, gourmet stores, The Oyster Bar — great lunch, even better martini, and the building itself is quite a gem.