Musing on the Hudson River

The dog days of summer are almost here, and there's no shortage of activities to help New Yorkers beat the heat. Going to the beach and running underneath a sprinkler are two popular methods for staying cool because they're free, but there are other ways to enjoy the water -- without opening your wallet.





The New York City Downtown Boathouse is reaching out to aspiring kayakers through October 12. Their programs, which range from paddle classes to field trips, are held on weekends and holidays at Pier 40 (Houston Street), Pier 96 (West 56th Street), and the Riverside Park Promenade at West 72nd Street. (Pier 96 is also open on weekday evenings through August 28.) Whatever your skill level, the only requirement is that all participants know how to swim -- which means I'll only be canoeing in my dreams.



Speaking of dreams, aquaphobiacs don't have to worry about sleeping with the fishes -- just catch them instead with the help of Big City Fishing. Their catch-and-release sessions take place on weekends through Labor Day at Pier 46 (Charles Street) and Pier 84 (West 44th Street), as well as Tuesdays through Sundays in July and August.



My experiment in angling was long but fun. Patience was a virtue that came in handy as I spent more than two hours trying to lure species like oyster toadfish and white perch to my hook and line. The view of the Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum and the sounds of the city didn't make for an idyllic setting, but I used the time to bond with Mother Nature and figure out what course my life is going to take. In the end, my efforts were in vain ... but I took great pride in trying something new.





That's a feeling no amount of money can buy.

Musing on Wimbledon

Tennis fans don't have to cross the Atlantic Ocean to be a part of Wimbledon -- they can let the sport's most prestigious event come to them at Rockefeller Center through June 26.



Thanks to HSBC, one can watch the matches on a large screen set up outside Rockefeller Plaza while enjoying a free serving of strawberries and cream. Those who prefer viewing the sport's legends in person instead of on television can see Jim Courier lead a tennis clinic for children on June 23 ... and recreational players looking to channel their inner Roger Federer or Venus Williams can reserve a complimentary session on the makeshift grass court. (Call 212-525-4331 to make a reservation.)



Fans who want to play the game without breaking a sweat can do so at the EA Sports Grand Slam Tennis booth, and those looking to improve their serves and volleys can help Prince -- the company, not the musician -- test their new rackets. Those who want to skip the exercise and head straight to victory can take a free virtual picture with the trophy (a silver gilt cup and cover for the gentlemen and a silver salver for the ladies).



These activities may not replicate the experience of being at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, but with the British pound continuing to eclipse the American dollar in value, it's easier on the wallet ... and a lot more fun.

Musing on Alcohol

To combat the recession, restaurants are offering complimentary food to its customers with the purchase of a drink as a way to drum up business. Two establishments jumping on this bandwagon are The Mermaid Inn and Armani / Ristorante (click on Armani / Ristorante).



The Lower East Side eatery lures its patrons with mini-servings of chocolate pudding daily (except Mondays, when they serve mini-cupcakes from Magnolia Bakery). While they're known for their seafood, the cocktails are what caught my eye. I love putting hot sauce on fried chicken, but I never thought it could get you intoxicated. Figuring there's a first time for everything, I decided to try the Michelada (Modelo Especial, hot sauce, and lime) for $8.



I regretted my choice as soon as I took my first sip, for the insides of my lips felt like they were being pressed against a blowtorch. To make matters worse, the beer had a bitter taste and the fruit had little juice. The bartender asked if I wanted another wedge, and I nodded my head without hesitation. I don't like to pour money down the drain, so I found the will to ingest the nastiest-tasting liquid concocted by man since Alka-Seltzer.



The bartender brought me a plate of chocolate and vanilla mini-cupcakes ... and while I expected them to be small, I didn't expect them to be microscopic. They were moist and sweet, but you're better off going straight to the source, where the pastry comes in eight flavors.



Since I didn't want my visit to be a wash, I had a Prosecco (Veneto) for $10. Its dry flavor wasn't the best way to erase the memory of the Michelada, but at least I could stomach it (along with a bowl of fish-shaped pretzels). In any case, the most memorable part of my night there was leaving the place.



I had a better experience at the Midtown shop, which uses appetizers and desserts to draw a crowd on Thursdays from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Since its name symbolizes elegance, it's only fitting that the spot is full of "beautiful people." (I wouldn't recommend showing up in jeans and sneakers!) Between the attentive servers and charming bartenders, my only gripes about the place were its techno music and heavy chairs.





Their extensive drink selection caused a temporary case of indecision, but I ended up ordering the Armani martini (orange juice, white rum, triple sec, and orange slice) for $14. It was one of the best cocktails I've ever had, and I knew it wouldn't be my last one -- even though it would mean going over my budget. I eased my conscience by sampling quiche and chocolate-covered strawberries (among other items). Later, I quenched my thirst with a strawberry julep (rum, mint leaves, strawberries, lime, brown sugar, and soda) for $12, which I also enjoyed.





If you're in the mood to enhance your alcoholic buzz with some tasty grub, check out Armani / Ristorante. While the futuristic décor wasn't my cup of tea, it was a better value for my money.

Musing on Barbecues

Carnivores of all ages gathered at Madison Square Park on June 13 and 14 to celebrate "peace, love, and barbecue" -- with apologies to Elvis Costello -- at the Snapple Big Apple Barbecue Block Party.





The annual event was a nice way to spend a Saturday afternoon, despite the light rain that kept intruding in on the fun. Some lines were longer than others, but I didn't let that deter me from partaking of complimentary items like grilled sausages from Char-Broil and two pieces of pork from the National Pork Board. The former had a succulent taste that left me wanting more, while the latter had a dry taste that failed to stimulate my palate.





Other goodies I picked up during my three-and-a-half-hour stay included a Quaker True Delights honey roasted cashew mixed berry granola bar, a diet lemon Snapple snow cone, and two cups of Edy's Slow Churned vanilla ice cream. As for prizes, I got to take home a cinch bag and a beach towel just for entering contests that highlighted my lack of knowledge about barbecuing and presidents. (Go figure!)



When I wasn't roaming the park and nearby areas for free samples, I was bobbing my head to SaRon Crenshaw and Howard Tate. I enjoyed both of their performances, but Tate did a better job of engaging the audience -- especially when he shared the stage with The Sweet Divines.





An experience that wasn't so divine was meeting Billy Mays. Crossing paths with the infamous salesman made for a surreal encounter ... and as much as I'd like to think he's a decent person, he came across as being just as cheesy in person as he is on television. (At least he looks the same in the flesh!)



What started off as a drizzle turned into a downpour around 4:00 p.m., and it was just my luck that I was standing in line to purchase a plate of Kansas City ribs and pickled okra from the Blue Smoke booth for $8. (They charge $14.95¢ for a half-rack at the restaurant.) The ribs maintained their flavor after I brought them home, and they had a fair amount of meat on them. As for the okra, I gave it to my younger brother, since he has a penchant for green vegetables.

Musing on National Parks

New York can be a wonderful place to live and work in, but there are times when one needs to escape the hustle and bustle of the Big Apple. The National Park Service is offering three fee-free weekends (June 20-21, July 18-19, and August 15-16) at dozens of parks across the United States, including Mount Rainier (which I visited in 2001) and the Grand Canyon (which I visited in 2003).





Sagamore Hill is the only national historic site closest to the city that's participating in this promotion. Located in Oyster Bay, this property was the home of Theodore Roosevelt from 1885 to 1919. His accomplishments as president include launching construction of the Panama Canal in 1903 and winning the Nobel Peace Prize in 1906. (Those interested in seeing a "larger-than-life" version of him can do so at Mount Rushmore.)





Such trips will ultimately cost more than $25, but it's still a good value ... and the memories will be priceless.

Musing on Donuts

June is the time of year when Americans from all walks of life come together to celebrate special occasions like Father's Day, the Summer Solstice ... and National Donut Day.



I refused to let a rainy day stop me from indulging my sugar rush, so I went to the Dunkin' Donuts at Atlantic Plaza, where they offered a free donut with the purchase of a beverage. After buying a ten-ounce cup of white hot chocolate (and getting a strawberry frosted donut), I took a few minutes to enjoy my late breakfast -- not to mention saving $1.06¢ in the process.



As much as I relished my moist snack and savored the creaminess of my drink, it didn't fill me up. I made my way to the Krispy Kreme at Penn Station, where they gave out a complimentary doughnut with no strings attached. The New York Cheesecake caught my eye, and I couldn't wait to wrap my lips around the cheesecake-filled treat topped with cream cheese icing and graham cracker crunch. It tasted good, but had too much filling and not enough topping. (On the bright side, I saved $1.19¢. Yay!)



These franchises weren't the only places where one could get their donut fix; other shops commemorating this day included the Peter Pan Bakery, Doughnut Plant, and Balthazar. I had my fill after eating two of them ... but there's always next year (and beyond).

Musing on Entrepreneurship

With the economy struggling to regain its footing, some adults may be looking to rejoin the workforce as entrepreneurs. This may sound like a costly endeavor, but Black Enterprise and Workshop in Business Opportunities have free programs to help you discover your inner industrialist.



The magazine is co-sponsoring an eight-week online "boot camp" for aspiring small business owners starting June 15. Its courses range from growing a business idea in 90 days to attracting customers through social media. As for the non-profit organization, it conducts monthly clinics on business law and other topics. These tools will provide the foundation to help you become your own boss.



Contrary to popular belief, you don't need a lot of money to launch a successful business venture -- just information. FreshBooks is giving away a free copy of the June 2009 Entrepreneur issue ... and if the aforementioned periodicals aren't to your liking, books like the Harvard Business Review on Entrepreneurship can be found at your local library.



Knowledge is power, and there's no time like the present to use it. Good luck!