Gotham Gal

An evening in Salt Lake City

Last week we went down to Salt Lake City to watch the Knicks Jazz game.  Knicks won! We are big basketball fans in our house.  It is fun to go see our team play in different venues.  Also, it is interesting to see the fans in each city. 

The arena is much smaller than Madison Square Garden.  MSG has been slightly renovated the past year but honestly it could use a serious redo.  This has been talked about forever.  Hopefully one day.  It is like when you fly back to the country and have to go through customers in Kennedy it is mortifying that this is the first thing you see when landing in the United States.  MSG should look the part. 

We had dinner in town at Naked Fish before going to the game.  Sorry no pics.  The restaurant is walking distance from the arena so it was the perfect location. 

It is amazing that you can get back up to Park City in 30 minutes after being down in SLC to see a game.  You honestly can't beat it. 

Wrigley Park

I went to college in Boston so I have been to the only other classic old school ballpark, Fenway Park.  I actually lived down the street from Fenway Park.  Walking up to Wrigley Field, seeing the open bars on the street, even the smell of the place, really sent me back a few years.  Certainly at Fenway Park they never mentioned that I was there.  LOL.

On the side streets there are apartment buildings.  The owners of these buildings had built bleachers on the top charging fans for a seat.  Most of them have a one cost including an all you can eat hot dogs and hamburgers included in the fare.  This building has even created a restaurant below. 

A few years back the owners of the Cubs decided they were providing the entertainment so either the owners payed them a percentage of their take of they would block their views.  An agreement was made and I was told that the affiliate fee to the Cubs is 17.5%.  Not bad. 

It was raining but luck had it that the rain ceased until we left sometime around the 8th inning.  What a beautiful field.

The old scoreboard will never be replaced as it is land-marked so there is a new electronic one lower down around the other side.

Had to have the Chicago dog.

As the weather turned colder, as in I was wearing a heavy sweater, winter coat, big scarf and gloves, the birds sat in the stands to watch the game.

Then the birds took over the field.  It was kind of crazy.  Really fun afternoon.  Hung out, watched the game and shot the shit.  Classic American past time.

GVYC and Harry Malakoff

GVYC, Greenwich Village Youth Council, began 18 years ago when Harry Malakoff could not find a basketball league for his daughter.  He took matters into his own hands and began GVYC.  He recruited women who played basketball for NYU and Columbia University to be his coaches.  He stood out in front at middle  schools in the morning and basically went up to parents and asked them if they had daughters that would be interested in his league.  I was one of those parents. 

Both Jessica and Emily played in the league from the first year you could enter at roughly 9/10 years old until they both worked their way through the league into being assistant coaches for community service while keeping connected to the league.  Practice on Friday evenings and games at PS 41 on Saturday mornings. 

The league has been an incredible place for young women who love basketball.  Every one of the top High School players in the downtown school system came through GVYC.  I know because our girls were two of those players.  They learned how to play and excel because they were playing in an all girls league.

Even Josh has become involved as an assistant coach.  A long standing amazing program for the downtown community.  Harry retired this past weekend. Christine Quinn, who has come faithfully to the last games of the season every year and spoke about the impact Harry has made to the community. 

I am a big fan.  I would be surprised to see Harry completely retire as I bet you will still find him at the games next year on Saturday morning.  It just won't be the same without his presence. 

Oh, the Knicks

There was a time when we went to many basketball games.  Now I go very infrequently because honestly the Knicks are not that great although it is a young team so there is hope. 

I love the whole NYC community rah-rah.  Hearing JZ and Alicia Keys belt out Empire State of Mind puts a smile on my face.

I love that the Knicks have a multi-cultural team.  A Russian, an Italian and a Frenchman is pretty cool.  Defines NYC in many ways. 

I do love just going to a game.  There is something about it.

What I don't love is that the games have become pure entertainment vs sporting events.  Granted sporting events have always been entertaining but watching young kids between 8 - 12 perform some dance during all the breaks doesn't really sit right with me. 

What I hate the worst is the Garden.  NYC is one of the most amazing cities in the world so why do we have a crumbling arena?  It is an embarrassment.  Like when we fly back through NYC, we enter JFK which is should be updated into this century immediately.  It is also an embarrassment. 

I do love the game but I really wish it would be more about the game...and they'd do some serious renovation and certainly some better food. 

 

Go Mets!

On Thursday night we went out to Citi Field to watch the Mets play Detroit.  I admit, that I am not the biggest baseball fan but it was a great night.  I find the game incredibly long and drawn out.  I am well aware that it is truly a thinking mans game and the stats are part of the thrill.  I get it.  Yet going to a game on occasion, eating some baseball fare and enjoying a warm summer night isn't so shabby.  We had the absolute pleasure of sitting in one of the boxes the other night.  Our seats were prime.  Josh was in heaven. 

Citi Field is pretty damn sweet.  The place is pristine.  The food halls are pretty good.  There is something magical about the place.  As I said, I do get it. 

New spin place in Amagansett, BEast

Another spin place in the Hamptons?  Yep.  The newest location is in Amagansett, called BEast.  It is a great addition to the town. 

Not only do they have spinning but there are also 2 rooms for classes.  Its in the parking lot behind Mary's Marvelous.  The bikes are brand new.  I had a great class. 

BEast will be part of my exercise regime. 

Soccer has begun

Sports season has begun.  Josh is playing weekend soccer and soccer for the school.  The weather is beautiful now but come November it is a bit harsh standing outside for 2 hours watching the games.  But, hey, that's what Moms do.  

We had to buy cleats the night before the first game.  Took Josh and his friend to Paragon where they discussed the virtues of each pair of cleats.  It was quite hilarious.  You would have thought the boys were discussing the latest designer.  It must be innate.  Might be a different fashion statement but a fashion statement none the less. 

In the end, we got a pair of cleats, new shorts, shin pads and soccer socks.  The look was down.  His feet are huge.  They won the game.  Big success across the board.