16 Handles...of pure deliciousness

Before coming to New York City my knowledge of the frozen yogurt world was non-existent. Like most newbies, my first steps into the fro-yo realm was via Pinkberry on 350 3rd Ave. It didn't really do much for me I must confess; their Pomegranate flavor left me highly unsatisfied. Then I was taken to Red Mango at St. Marks Place where my like of the stuff began. But it wasn't until I went to 16 Handles at 153 2nd Ave. that I discovered love. I felt like I had walked into the Chocolate Room in Willy Wonka's Factory. The have everything from Original flavor to Cookies and Cream and the best part: you can mix and match as you please. Just go down the line of flavors, take want you want in your bowl of choice, add toppings, weigh and pay. The self service is super convenient and satisfying; you always get exactly what you pay for.

Need more info? call them up at 212-260-4414

The Last Vacation: Saying Goodbye to Home

This is an excerpt from a piece that was published in Big World Magazine, check out the whole article: http://www.bigworldmagazine.com/the-last-vacation/

The coastline came into view when reached the top of the hill. As the car crawled down and around, the wind coming in through the open windows blew my sister’s golden locks away from her face. My hand swerved up and down, swimming through the air as my father sang,”Sin ti, sin ti vivir, estarse muriendo sin morir,” a surefire sign that the stress from work was beginning to fade.

Every year my family tries to find the time to take a vacation, just kick back and get away from the stress of school or, in my Dad’s case, work. Usually we go to Isabela, a beachside town on the other side of the island. Isabela is two hours from our home in Humacao, a small town on the east coast, about 45 minutes southeast of San Juan. This vacation was our first real time together since my sister went away to college, and my last opportunity to be with Mom and Dad before going to college in the U.S.

We pulled into the parador Villas del Mar Hau, where we were staying, the gravel crackling under the tires of my Dad’s Sequoia. A line of colorful cabins that decorated the shore of Montones beach immediately came into view, finishing off on the west end of the beach with a seaside restaurant. The car doors swung open and we hopped out taking in the sounds of the oceans. “Finally,” Dad said, more to himself than us.

And You Thought Camping Season was Over...

Ever heard of a yurt? It's like a cross between a cabin and a pimped-out tent. The amenities depend on the yurt. Most come with bathroom, electricity, beds and a kitchen. Snow, rain - it can handle it all. They're pretty much weather-proof. So you can camp in them during the winter. I recently wrote about yurts for amNew York. Check out my story here! http://www.amny.com/urbanite-1.812039/sick-of-tents-try-a-yurt-instead-1.1346160

Outside the Box opens for Blues Traveler

Calling all Blues lovers! If you haven't already seen Outside the Box play a show you're missing out. They were great the first time I saw them, but their opening for Blues Traveler blew me away. There’s no doubt that this band is on its way to greatness.

The energy and enthusiasm of this blues-based band from The Jersey Shore makes them a joy to watch. Standing in the crowd you can't help but dance and smile at the four members jamming their hearts out on stage.

The band formed October of 2004 consists of guitarist and lead vocalist Jeff Cafone (you wouldn't believe the voice this guy has), bassist and vocalist Ryan Wheeler, drummer and vocalist Francis "Slugger" Valentino, and pianist and vocalist Mark Masefield (the kid must have like 20 fingers the way he dominates those keys). Though Cafone writes the songs, he always takes the songs to band to be perfected and teaked.

They opened for Blues Traveler Wednesday Nov. 4 at The Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza. The same night the Yankees beat the Phillies for the World Series.

They did Blues Traveler proud by opening the show with the very energetic, incredibly catchy original song "You and Me and Just Us for All." But what really got the crowd going was when they brought out Blues Traveler keys man Ben Wilson to join them in playing "One Way Out" by The Allman Brothers.

The guys finished up with another original, “Forbidden Romance Silenced the Radio" that left the packed Filmore warmed up and ready to go.

Blues Traveler was welcomed to the stage with a roar of applause, shouts and cheers. From the start the band satisfied the people's musical cravings with non-stop jam sessions and fan favorites such as "The Mountains Win Again."

I'm quite the Blues Traveler fan, but had never seen them live. Let me tell you, they are just as great live as they are on track. Perhaps even better considering the on-going jams you get on stage.

Front man John Popper made the show even better by keeping the crowd updated on the Yankees/Phillies game. Making sure to calm the nerves of fans that ducked out on watching the game to attend the concert.

Blues Traveler has already reached great success. And after a show like that, one can't help think that Outside the Box is following in their footsteps.


Check out Outside the Box at http://www.myspace.com/outsidethebox

We Will Never Forget

The day The World Trade Center collapsed I was no where near New York City. I witness everything from my living room in Puerto Rico. After an NYU journalism class field trip to The Tribute World Trade Center Visitor Center, 9/11 finally seems real.

The center's exhibits and video allowed me to see what the WTC was like pre-attack. But it was the aftermath footage that really put the gravity of the tragedy into perspective. The audio tour of Ground Zero and collection of photos and relics helped me imagine what experiencing 9/11 must have been like.

It was at the center that I met Tracy Gazzani and learned about her son.
Terry Gazzani worked for Cantor Fitzgerald and was in the North Tower when the first plane hit. He was above the zone of impact and so cut off from any possible escape. Terry lost his life leaving his parents in a situation that Tracy says, “gets different, but doesn’t get better.”

Tracy is a docent at the Tribute WTC Visitor Center. She’ll have been there for a year at the end of November. Volunteering is her way getting a move on with life and giving thanks to all who helped during times of darkness.

Listening to Tracy talk about the last words she exchanged with her son put a personal touch on a tragedy that for so long to me was faceless.

Distinguished firefighter Lee Ielpi is another who lost a child on Sept. 11. “Dad we are going to the World Trade Center” were the last words Ielpi heard his son, who was also a firefighter, speak through the phone. Jonathan’s body was found in one piece. Ielpi considered it a blessing considering the many that were never found or were found in pieces. Jonathan’s helmet and jacket are proudly on display at the Visitor Center. Only 12-15 full helmets were found of the 343 fallen firefighters.

During the Ground Zero audio tour I couldn’t help but feel grateful that I had not been faced with such a life altering event. Would I have been strong enough to deal with it? Would moving on have been impossible? I don’t know, but the people speaking through my headset had done it. Never had I ever been flooded with such admiration.

In the gallery, photos of victims covered the walls. Faces beamed at me, captured in happy moments; faces I never knew and never will know. I felt pain for the things they never did and the goodbyes they didn’t get to say. I imagined how horrible it would be to see my mother or sister’s face on that wall staring back at me.

For Tracy that’s a daily reality. Her son’s photo is on that wall as well as on the ID holder around her neck. The pictures are there as a reminder, as is the rest of the center. “We must let people know how it affected us,” said Tracy.

At the end of the visit I left the center and continued with my day. Routine occupations and responsibilities pushed my visit to the Center to the back of my mind. How fortunate, I thought, to be able to remember painful things by choice.

Heaven

Very few restaurants have the ability to haunt me in times of hunger. About a week ago, I found one that has not left me alone since I tried it's Shrimp and Chicken Shumai: Cafetasia.

Not only is the food delicious, but incredibly well priced. The atmoshphere is very relaxed and friendly and the food arrives in no time. If you get a chance, swing by 38 East 8th st. and see for yourself, but be advised: thoughts of the food are not easily dispelled and the only way to get rid of them is to satisfy the craving.

The Halloween You Probably Didn't Know About

While most were out strutting their stuff on Sixth Avenue this Halloween, the elderly of the East Village were on East 12th Street at the Sirovich Senior Center partaking in a party of their own.

A group of around 100 people, many of them over 80, got together to celebrate in festive, lively costumes. Party goers boogied down to everything from "The Monster Mash" to Missy Elliot's "Get Your Freak On," and also put their outfits to the test in a costume contest.

Charlie Chaplin, the Statue of Liberty an The Queen of England, among others, battled for the $50 first prize. All fantastic, but in the end only one could win and who better than...her majesty, The Queen of England!

-Photo from The New York Times-