Ring Design by Dara Ettinger

Dara Ettinger is a New York City jewelry designer, and she is cutting her prices for the entire month of December for much of her inventory. For example, rose-gold stone necklaces are $25 instead of the retail $84. Brooklyn Heights at 214 Hicks Street, 718-875-3272; Mon–Sat 11am–7pm, Sun noon–6pm.

Fred Flare pop-up is a great place to hunt for that perfect gift on-line, and get free shipping, too. Or if you prefer go in the flesh to their outlet in the Chelsea Market during the holiday shopping season. Where else can you get a Nice Jewish Guys calendar for $18. 75 Ninth Ave at 16th Street. Thu 15–Sat 17 10:30am–7pm; Sun 18 10:30am–6pm; Mon 19–Fri 23 10:30am–7pm.

Seletti is the place for great household products, and now is the time to get some great deals. How about Pantone chairs for $20 instead of $91; and porcelain dining room tableware in the shape of the Palace Hotel are $30 instead of the retail price of $188; and dressers with three drawers are priced down from $1600 to $400. That’s a lot of savings for some really fantastic products. 18 Bridge St at John St, Dumbo, Brooklyn, 347-499-2871.

A Bit of Medieval Europe in New York

In upper Manhattan there is a less well-known branch of New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, called The Cloisters. This fascinating building is dedicated to the art and architecture of medieval Europe, and the structure itself is an example of that, as it was assembled from both the domestic and religious elements that date back to the twelfth through fifteenth centuries.

The Cloisters and its surrounding gardens are located in Fort Tryon Park, in the northernmost end of Manhattan, overlooking the Hudson River on the west. A visit there is like visiting a medieval European monastery, but without the monks. In place of the monks you will find about three thousand artworks dating from as long ago as the ninth century, and no more recent than the sixteenth century.

The Cloisters is easy to get to by bus, car or subway, and from April through October the Trie Café offers light meals and snacks which are served outdoors in the French medieval Trie Cloister. If you visit now until April 22 you will be treated to a unique exhibit of what are most likely the most famous chess pieces in the world, the Lewis Chessmen. These carved ivory chessmen were discovered in 1831 on the Isle of

12th Century Lewis Chessmen

Lewis off the coast of Scotland, and date from the twelfth century.  The chessmen rarely leave their home in the British Museum, but for this exhibit over thirty of the chessmen are on display, representing the largest assembly of these unique objects outside of the United Kingdom.

What helped to make these chessmen so famous is that replicas of them were used in the famous “Chess Game” scene in one of the Harry Potter movies, only enlarged to the size of people.

Check out The Cloisters and the Lewis Chessmen; It’s like a visit it Europe of the Middle Ages.

Lobby of the Carlton Hotel

The Carlton was first opened in 1904, immediately before the opening of the New York City subway. Originally called the Seville, it is a wonderful example of the Beaux-Arts style which was all the rage in New York at the time. Harry Allen Jacobs designed and completed the elegant hotel, which helped to turn the area into one of New York’s swankiest destinations.

Recently the hotel has undergone a face-lift of unusual proportions, bringing the Carlton into the 21st century without sacrificing any of the old world class, or its unique, luxurious style. Designer David Rockwell executed the remake, successfully maintaining the historic hotel as one of New York’s grandest.

Come visit and view what the hoteliers believe is the pinnacle of the Carlton’s new look: the two-story modern waterfall flowing in the lobby which reveals a large, vintage black and white photo of the Seville Hotel as it was in 1924.

Laughing Lotus is a yoga center with a twist. Opened in 2000 by partners Dana Flynn and Jasmine Tarkeshi; the Laughing Lotus is dedicated to “inspire devotion, and to celebrate community and spiritual life.”

It all began at a rooftop playground in New York City in the summer of 1999, a year after Dana and Jasmine met and realized their shared love for music, art, dance, transformation and yoga. Soon after Laughing Lotus was born. There are now two centers, one in San Francisco, and the other, right here in New York City.

One class known as Laughing Lotus’ signature experience is the Friday night jam, which was begun back in 2000 and designed for rebels and those who seek the truth. The jam begins at 10pm and continues until midnight, during which time the participants will experience deep fluid asana set to live music or DJ’s. To attain a true spiritual high the music includes phat beats and ancient, traditional mantras.

As the Laughing Lotus says, “All rebels are welcome.”

Located at 59 West 19th Street at Sixth Avenue. Call 212-414-2903 for more information.

On November 21st and 22nd youthful poets will read their works expressing “hurt and hope on their journey towards self.” The featured poets are Nia Allen, Aziza Barnes, Kedene McLeod, and Diamond Wynn. The poets are teamed with Writing Mentor Kelly Zen-Yie Tsai and Director/Choreographer Nicco Annan.

The unique hybrid performance is a creation of the partnership between New York Live Arts and Urban Word NYC whose goal is to support inner city youth in their artistic development. The project is now in its fourth year, and includes the input and participation of the spoken word artist Kelly Zen-Yie Tsai.

New York Live Arts was created in 2011 when the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company merged with the Dance Theater Workshop. It is housed at 219 West 19th Street, and led by the Executive Artistic Director Bill T. Jones and Artistic Director Carla Peterson. The CEO and Executive Director is Jean Davidson.

Sometimes called tragic poet, prankster or provocateur, you can now decide for yourself when you visit the Maurizio Cattelan exhibit at the Guggenheim Museum.

Cattelan Exhibit at the Guggenheim

Cattelan takes his inspiration from the full range of life’s offerings, such as popular culture, history, organized religion and a deep look at the self, which is both humorous and profound. Many have described Cattelan’s style as hyper-realistic, creating overly truthful sculptures whose purpose is to point out contradictions which occupy the very heart of contemporary society.

Maurizio Cattelan’s artwork will be showing from November 4, 2011 to January 22, 2012 at the Guggenheim Museum on Fifth Avenue at 89th Street.

Do you love to dance? Have you ever thought about taking dance lessons? New York is literally overflowing with possibilities for anyone interested in getting into shape while also having an absolutely fantastic time.

Steven Hughes

One such place is “Stepping Out Studios, ” whose stated mission is to “introduce and spread the joy of partner dancing far and wide.” Stepping Out began in 1985, and has always been on the forefront of introducing the latest dance styles to New Yorkers; being the first to bring Argentine Tango and West Coast Swing to the Eastern Coast of the US. They have also played a key role in the exciting revival of Latin, Swing and Country Western dancing which has taken New York by storm over the last decade.

The latest development at Stepping Out has been the addition of Steven Hughes to the studio as the new managing director. Hughes has over 20 years of experience as a business owner, theater director, choreographer, producer as well as a certified professional dance instructor.

Stepping Out offers a lot more than just dance lessons. In addition to both private and group lessons, Stepping Out can provide wedding planning, corporate programs, teacher training programs and lots more. Check it out and come down and dance!

Tim Norton

There is no shortage of places to go to hear some fine music in New York City. But what to do if you would like to be on the giving end of the music scene in New York, rather than the taking end? Easy, just get yourself over to Guitar Cities – New York, located at 1350 Avenue of the Americas, at 55th and Sixth Avenue.  At their location in midtown Manhattan experienced guitar instructors Adam Neely, Tim Norton and Marcel Hamel have put together a talented, and more importantly, effective group of guitar instructors who will personalize a tutoring program in guitar for you which will perfectly meet your needs.

Neely, Norton and Hamel are all graduates of the famous Berklee College of Music in Boston. Their stated goal when forming their amazing team of guitar instructors was to not only have the most knowledgeable and gifted artists as teachers, but to make sure that each tutor was an “experienced communicator and teacher” with the ability to impart their vast knowledge onto the eager student.

Guitar Cities, which also has locations in Chicago, San Francisco and London, provides the instrument gratis, does not charge a registration fee, is open to all students of all ages and backgrounds, and will accommodate any style guitar playing which is desired, from jazz to rock, pop, blues and more.

There is no limit on how long the lessons must last, from a month to years. As long as the student is happy, Adam Neely, Tim Norton and Marcel Hamel are also happy. So stop by and start to learn guitar.

In the mood for some intellectual stimulation? There are a huge number of lectures available for New Yorkers to attend this coming week. One lecture of particular interest will take place at the 92nd Street Y, featuring the retired Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens.

Stevens served for 34 as s Justice, and he now wrote a book about his experiences on the highest court in the land.  The book, Five Chiefs: A Supreme Court Memoir, describes some of the landmark decisions in which Stevens was involved.

The talk will feature a discussion of some of those crucial decisions, including Gregg v. Georgia, which reaffirmed the use of the death penalty as a form of punishment for serious crimes.
Call the ‘Y” for more information and reservations: 212-415-5500.

Fall is a great time to be in New York. The weather is perfect, the leaves are gorgeous, and the events are endless. Here are just a few things to do this autumn which go beyond the usual and are guaranteed to be memorable.

Jane's Carousel

• The restored 1922 carousel at the Empire and Fulton Ferry Park (Brooklyn Bridge Park) will be the centerpiece of the newly renovated and reopened waterside park in DUMBO. September 16 was the opening date, and new lighting at the site will keep the park open into the evening for the first time. Empire–Fulton Ferry Park, Dock St at the East River, Dumbo, Brooklyn (718-802-0603, janescarousel.com). Mon, Tue–Sun 11am–7pm, through Nov 5; Thu–Sun 11am–6pm through Apr 5. $2.

• There is no need to leave the city to see the colorful display of autumn leaves Mother Nature organizes for us each year. Check out the view in Central Park as you stroll down the 1.58 mile track which encircles the Reservoir. You can also see the leaves in Prospect Park. Observe the leaves of ash, tulip and other trees as they turn bright orange and red reflected in the ponds along the ravine trails which are found between the Nethermead and Long Meadow.

Bear Mountain Inn

• Circle Line Cruises is offering a special trip to Bear Mountain until the end of October. Sail up the Hudson, disembark at Bear Mountain State Park, and enjoy a beer and a hike during the three hour stop over until the return trip. Bear Mountain offers over one hundred miles of trails for hikers and bikers, and the beer is flowing at the Bear Mountain Inn where you can catch the celebration of Oktoberfest. Pier 83, W 42nd St at the Hudson River (circleline42.com). Sat, Sun 8:30am–5:30pm; $50, with bike rental $79. Sept 17–Oct 30.