Photo: Nicole Freezer Ruben

Happy New Year! To start the year off right, we have invitations to two inspiring events. The first is a Zoom event that will help you manifest your dreams this year! The second event will inspire you to help women and children living in shelters in NYC. The holidays may be over but now is a perfect time to see holiday activities like the NYBG Train Show and the tree at Rock without the hordes of tourists. Get ready for line dancing— cowboy country charm has arrived in midtown. Our Long Island reporter suggests starting the New Year off with a little self-care. And our roving photographer captured some very unusual wreath interpretations.

Jan. 21. Manifest a Bold and Brilliant 2025

Are you ready to transform your life and attract the abundance, success and happiness you desire? Imagine a life where your goals aren’t just dreams- they’re real, “full of life, love and fun” experiences. The time is NOW- make that life yours!

Join us for this Manifestation Webinar and unlock the secrets and strategies to bring your biggest dreams to life. This isn’t about “wishful thinking” or “faking” success. We’re going deep into proven, powerful, and actionable steps to transform your life. So, if you want to attract wealth, love, health or confidence, this webinar will show you how to align your mindset, energy and actions to make that happen. GET THE DETAILS AND SIGN UP.

 Feb. 2. Join Us for an Inspiring Afternoon

Join us for an inspiring afternoon! You’ll have the opportunity to meet Catherine Curry-Williams, author of Philanthropy on a Shoestring and co-founder of the She Angels Foundation. Our event will be hosted by Deborah Koenigsberger at tth Vintage Boutique, NYC’s premier resale store, owned by Deborah Koenigsberger. Deborah, who founded Hearts of Gold—a nonprofit dedicated to helping women and children transition out of shelters—also employs women who are rebuilding their lives at the boutique. Hearts of Gold will be our next Giving Circle recipient. (Learn more below.) The event is FREE, but you must register to attend. GET THE DETAILS.

 Now-Jan. 20. The Holiday Train Show & Arthur Avenue

Photo: Roni Jenkins

The New York Botanical Garden’s Holiday Train Show runs until January 20. This year, the show features enchanting model train displays winding through a miniature New York City landscape, crafted from natural materials like bark, leaves, and twigs. You’ll stay warm inside the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, which is beautifully lit with colorful lights, and enjoy outdoor displays on the garden’s lawns.

Photos by Roni Jenkins

It’s a magical experience for all ages, perfect for making lasting holiday memories. And then make sure to head to Arthur Avenue, the real Little Italy, for a fabulous meal or shopping for Italian goodies. GET DETAILS AND TICKETS.

The Tree at Rockefeller Center is Still Up!

The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree is usually taken down in mid-January. Last year, it was removed on January 16th, but the exact date can vary each year. And many of the store windows still have their holiday decorations on display. And did you know that after the holidays, the tree is repurposed to help build homes for Habitat for Humanity? What a wonderful way to keep the holiday spirit alive

Get Your Cowgirl Boots On

Common Country is a new cowboy-themed bar located at 344 Third Avenue in Kips Bay. It’s brought to you by the creators of Common Ground Bar, and it’s designed to bring the charm and fun of the country to the heart of New York City.

The bar features a 3,400-square-foot space with a Wild West aesthetic, complete with real deer taxidermy mounts and farmhouse beams imported from Kentucky. The menu includes a selection of Tennessee and Kentucky-forward whiskey, craft beer, and cocktails inspired by the South, such as Spiked Sweet Tea. There’s also a variety of Tex-Mex food, including elote fritters, cornbread, bloomin’ onion, and Texas twinkies (breaded jalapeños stuffed with cheese).

Common Country offers plenty of country-forward programming, including line dancing, karaoke nights, live bands, and DJ sets. The bar has a late-night vibe and is open until 4 AM on Thursdays and Fridays, and until late on Saturdays. GET THE DETAILS.

Step Into Comfort

Andrea Peponakis says suggests as we step into a fresh chapter full of promise and possibilities, let’s not forget to care for ourselves -starting from the ground up! After the whirlwind of the holiday season, your feet, the unsung heroes of all that shopping, hosting, visiting, and dancing, deserve some real tender love and care. She has just the places on Long Island for a rejuvenating foot relaxation spa day. GET THE DETAILS.

Wreath Interpretations

Our roving photographer, Nicole Freezer Rubens writers:

Wreath Interpretations organized by the NYC Parks Art & Antiques Department and housed in the Arsenal Gallery in Central Park has recently come down. Although this show closed on January 2nd, mark your new calendars for next December as this is an annual event in its 42nd year.

The challenge to the artists is to submit wreaths made out of anything but traditional materials. The titles of the works tell the tale of the times, this year including All Set for the Holidays, (“You May Feel Some Discomfort…”) Happy Holidays From Big Pharma, Something to Write Home About, Little Wreath of Horrors and Merry and Bright – Lifeguard on Sight. This whimsical exhibition mixes weighty and lighter social commentary, conveyed through the symbolism of a holiday wreath.

The exhibition space in a city building feels very much by the people and for the people, making the big city community feel a little bit smaller.

Happy New Year to all. I resolve to think about some of the themes addressed in the show and look forward to visiting Wreath Interpretations as part of my personal holiday season traditions.