NEW: Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Annex NYC

It opens to the public on November 25, 2008 and it's set to be a "temple of rock culture" in SoHO, New York, an annex to the existing museum in Cleveland, Ohio.

A visit should last 90 minutes and costs US$ 26 for adults. For complete information please visit the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Annex NYC website.

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Annex NYC

76 Mercer Street, SoHO

Off Off the Beaten Path: Storm King Art Center

For a lovely afternoon in a beautiful sculpture park, this is it. A little over an hour from New York City, Storm King is one of the most beautiful places I have been to in the region.

Storm King is a huge park containing sculptures by world-renowned artists such as Alexander Calder, Henry Moore, Isamu Noguchi, and many more. Except for winter, when it's closed, it is worth the trip (by bus or by car - directions are available on their website).

From the Storm King website:
"Storm King Art Center is a museum that celebrates the relationship between sculpture and nature. Five hundred acres of landscaped lawns, fields and woodlands provide the site for postwar sculptures by internationally renowned artists. At Storm King, the exhibition space is defined by sky and land. Unencumbered by walls, the subtly created flow of space is punctuated by modern sculpture. The grounds are surrounded by the undulating profiles of the Hudson Highlands, a dramatic panorama integral to the viewing experience. The sculptures are affected by changes in light and weather, so no two visits are the same."

If you go by bus, bring food and drink for a picnic as there is no restaurant on site.

For the hard-core shoppers, know that Storm King is only a few miles from Woodbury Common, the shopping outlet.

Watching the NYC Marathon

If you're in town on the first Sunday in November, watching the marathon and cheering for the runners is a must-do activity. Better if a friend or a co-worker is running but it doesn't really matter. It's fun.

One thing to do is to go to Central Park and watch the runners arrive in the park, where the finish line is. Alternatively, a great spot to watch the runners up close is Long Island City, in Queens.

Take the 7 Train in Manhattan towards Queens and go to the Vernon-Jackson station (one stop from Grand Central) and you're right there in the middle of the action, with and great vantage point and a smaller crowd.

(Photos: 1.Elite runners in 2008; 2.Manhattan skyline)

Celebrating a new spirit

Nobody knows how long it will last, but there's a new spirit in the air. I've been noticing a new politeness on the subway, people saying "I'm sorry" more frequently than ever if, for example, they step on your foot or hit your arm with an oversized backpack.

This must be because of the election of Barack Obama. While I missed the live celebration, I watched every minute on TV and even sheded tears of joy. I have been reading every article and report about the election and its effect on people. It's more than positive, it's an incredibly happy moment - if you're not a Republican, of course.

It really feels like a brand new day! (Despite the economy).

Favorite Bars

In the winter it's always a good idea to find a cozy bar where the music will be, hopefully, not too loud and there will be a place to sit. In the summer you really don't want to be indoors...

Domaine*** [wine] (50-04 Vernon Boulevard, Long Island City)
Why: cozy, great wines and food
Fresh Salt*** (146 Beekman St., near Front St.)
Why: small, cozy and tasty appetizers
Jimmy's # 43 (43 East 7th St., East Village)
Why: basement bar with great food
Karma (51 First Ave., near 3rd St.)
Why: for the hooka aficcionados
O'Flaherty's*** (334 West 46th St.)
Why: cozy Irish pub with fireplaces, sofas and stools, and bookshelves
Oyster Bar (Grand Central Terminal)
Why: a NY classic with affordable seafood
P.J. Clarke's (915 Third Ave. at 55th St.)
Why: 125-years old, a classic NY bar
Puck Fair*** (298 Lafayette St., Nolita)
Why: rustic feel, great list of beers
The Dove*** [wine] (228 Thompson St., Greenwich Village)
Why: bar and lounge, very pleasant
Tom & Jerry's 288 Bar*** (288 Elizabeth St. at Houston St.)
Why: spacious and fun

In the summer, because they have outdoor seating:

Croxley Ales (28 Avenue B, near 3rd St.)
The Park (118 Tenth Ave., bet. 17th and 18th Sts., Chelsea)
Ulysses (95 Pearl St., Financial District)

***Absolute favorites.

(Photo: Happy Hour at Ulysses)