New York City Holiday - an evening in the City...

Let's take the train down to the city to see the tree, and Rockefeller Center, wander around to see the windows, and all the holiday decorations.. then we'll duck into a nice warm pub or restaurant (tbd) for a hearty meal and some belly warming drinks.. *********PLEASE NOTE****** Folks -- I"ve paid in advance for our group, but now the tour leader has agreed to take on others who will need to pay in cash on the day of the tour -- so if you're still interested, please rsvp and indicate that you will pay in cash on 12/19.. and thank the tour leader for being flexible on this... ***************************** Let's meet up in the Campbell Apartments between 4 and 4:30 --- within Grand Central Terminal for pre-tour and pre-tree cocktails.. The Campbell Apartment is truly a one-of-a-kind space within a one of a kind location...Formerly the private office and salon of 1920's tycoon, John W. Campbell; The Campbell Apartment has been fully restored to its original splendor -- and reborn as a chic cocktail lounge that has already been cited in the national media as one of "the best bars in America". The breathtaking interior features intricate architectural details and craftsmanship. Features cocktails from another age... In response to my questions regarding what we'd like to do for our New York City-based holiday event, we're going to do a Christmas Walking Tour of Rockefeller Center and 5th Avenue, which will light up our holiday season! The tour will start at 5pm.. so you have a CHOICE - Meet us at the Campbell Apts for drinks at 4pm.. or meet us at 4:45 directly across the steps from the Plaza Hotel (5th Avenue & Central Park South), right next to the fountain (the "Pulitzer Fountain"). PLEASE INDICATE IN YOUR RSVP COMMENTS WHERE YOU WILL MEET THE GROUP... Our tour guide will be there holding a sign entitled "Gotham Walking Tours." Here's a bit more information to give you an additional sense of the type of tour we'll have: The tour presents the traditional Christmas sights in NYC ÂÂ- the window displays, the Rockefeller Center tree and skating rink, St. PatrickÂÂ's Cathedral, the laser light show in Grand Central Terminal, etc. ÂÂ- in historic, cultural and architectural contexts. We will explore ÂÂ- in a light-hearted, entertaining way: The evolution of Christmas traditions in NYC (including some of the ones that have long been forgotten); The role that many famous individuals ÂÂ- Maurice Sendack (he got his start designing windows at FAO Schwarz); the famed political cartoonist, Thomas Nast; the writer, Washington Irving; among others ÂÂ- played in the way Christmas in celebrated in the City; NYCÂÂ's role in the evolution of ÂÂ"Santa ClausÂÂ" ÂÂ- from the Dutch ÂÂ"St. Nicholas,ÂÂ" to the jovial Santa Claus we know today; the evolution of Christmas shopping traditions; the transformation of the Christmas Tree ÂÂ- from the Victorian AgeÂÂ's small candles to EdisonÂÂ's electric lights; And the extraordinary social, political, and architectural context in which many of our traditional NYC sights came about ÂÂ- 5th Avenue, its former mansions, and life during the ÂÂ"Gilded AgeÂÂ"; the development of ÂÂ"Ladies MileÂÂ"; the building of Rockefeller Center; the role that Grand Central Terminal has played in NYC history, etc. Her objective is to look at the things we are so accustomed to seeing ÂÂ- and presenting them in a context such that my guests (even the hard-core New Yorkers among us), can walk away saying . . . ÂÂ"Wow. I never knew that.ÂÂ" As for her style . . . SheÂÂ's not a ÂÂ"talking head,ÂÂ" (even though she was a trial lawyer for many years); itÂÂ's about being interactive, asking questions, involving her clients, and, above all, having a lot of fun! So remember - Saturday, December 19th, from 5:00 ÂÂ- 7:30 pm; meeting at 5:00 across from the Plaza, in front of the Pulitzer Fountain. Photo ops abound, so bring your cameras!!! Dinner plans will be set up closer to the date... for after the tour.. but I'm considering going back to Grand Central if the food vendors are still open, so we can go there.. or we could go to the Oyster Bar or other large location near Grand Central.. if you have suggestions, please email me... remember this is saturday night and a larger group at prime time -- so it might be difficult to get a reservation... This should be a really fun way to close the holiday season in New York City..and reflect upon a year's worth of wonderful friendships that meetup has brought together.. See you then.. Terry