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The New York City Broadway theatre scene is the most prominent in the United States. While Chicago, San Francisco, Seattle and other major US cities also have an incredible and diverse theatre scene, Broadway is definitely the Great White Way and the icon of American theatre. Avenue Q is currently playing at the Golden Theatre between 8th and Broadway. It is a Tony Award winning musical comedy and is scheduled to play through mid September of this year, which will mark an incredible 6 year run. The Best New York City hotel will offer information on this and other shows at the front desk.

Avenue Q began previews in July of 2003, and has been extremely popular with all audiences since its first performance. Before its Broadway run it ran on Off Broadway at the Vineyard Theatre. The musical follows the adventures of a recent college graduate who moves to New York to follow his dreams. It was conceived by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx, who wrote the music and lyrics. The book was by Jeff Whitty, and the story is inspired by the Sesame Street Characters. The musical is full of puppets, and many of them are based on those found in the classic children’s educational program.

While this might seem like a children’s show, based on the inspiration and character base, it should be known that there is adult language, themes and profanity. This is evident in one of the most popular songs from the show, The Internet is for Porn. The musical has had a successful turning production in Australia and was also produced in London’s West End. If planning on attending the production, audiences should just remember that while it is a comedy, and full of puppets, it is not recommended for young children, and adult supervision is essential for older youth and adolescents.

When I came to New York on a business trip, I had no idea that I would put in an application to help New York become greener. It was after I had finished up with my business deals and getting ready to check out of my New York USA Hotel, I heard a public announcement over the television about a new plan Mayor Bloomberg was implementing.

It has to do with enhancing New York’s urban environment. By 2017 he plans to plant an estimated 220,000 street trees with funding over $200 million. New York’s Parks and Recreations will be the steward of the approximately 29,000 acres of land from Central Park to the Yankee Stadium to the community Gardens and Greenstreets.

I did a little research on the Internet to find out more and to see what qualifications are necessary. Apparently, the Ciity of New York will be seeking individuals with experience and a earnest interest in Horticulture. They will have to perform advanced forestry functions. Do field surveys and inspections to assess the conditions of trees and recommend solutions to all the damage being done by insects and disease. Also recommend which species to plant. So far so good, I can meet all those expectations. My current job is in Horticulture.

I found a place on-line where I could fill out an application and submit it. I think that this initiative to make New York greener sounds like my ticket to get out from under a corporate job and get back to nature. Plus, help make New York and even better and more beautiful place to visit and live. I left my hotel room and took a leisurely walk up the street I was on. Yes, I could see how I could be of great benefit to this magnificent city and be of benefit to aiding in the re-greening of our Earth.

A few years ago, well many years ago, in 2002 I visited my dear friend Robert.  Robert was born in Queens and is the standard for the New York personality.  We had not seen each other for a few years, and during that time, I had moved from Phoenix, to Los Angeles to Chicago and back again.  He had been working in the city, and had been jogging in Central Park on the morning of 9/11.  Life goes by so quickly.  When I first stepped off of the plane in LaGuardia, I had to find my way to the bus that would take me to Grand Central Station.  Robert was to be waiting there for me.  The bus took me across the Brooklyn Bridge, and with tears in my eyes I wondered just how life had been for those living in Manhattan, or visiting the city and hanging out in the rooms of the 5 star New York hotels on that day…a few years prior.

I saw Robert at Grand Central, he looking so dapper in his black wool trench coat, and I realized in one moment, how much I had missed his face.  And he was smiling.  And we took the subway, and as it was close to Christmas there were jazz bands playing at every station.  Christmas tunes.  Once we arrived at his flat on the Upper East side, we order pizza and had a bit of wine.  We took off for his local pub, had a few Guinness and then went back to his place to promptly fall to sleep.  The next day was a day that I will never forget.  We woke up, felt woozy after the wine, and the Guinness.  We had dinner at an incredible Italian place in SOHO, then got into a cab and said…”Cabbie, take us to Hell!”  Hell is a dance club located in the meat packing district.  Once we escaped from Hell, we went on to a small piano bar called Brandy’s.

Now, previously we had been by the site of the Twin Towers.  It was an empty construction site by that time, but the rod iron fence surrounding the cathedral across the street was still decorated by the shirts of the firemen from different U.S. cities that had participated in the rescue efforts on that day when my friend was jogging in Central Park.  And I thought about that.  I had been in Chicago that day, and watching the news and not able to get through on the telephone to Robert.  So, after wine and pasta, we end up at Brandy’s, a sing along joint.  Just as the band was packing up, I asked the singer if he would sing, “Danny Boy”.  I don’t know why that song popped into my head, but it did.  And even though he was ready to go, the singer said, yes.  And in one moment, the entire bar was singing along with tears streaming down their cheeks.  When all was said and done, Robert told me that that song is an anthem, for police and firemen in New York, and although the construction site was cleared, the shirts of those that risked their lives were still hanging on a fence.  The city never forgets.  New York, New York…the best city in the world.