The latest travel information plus insider event and sightseeing tips for New York City, Boston, Hawaii, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Bermuda.
Friday, December 21, 2007
Good News for Airline Passengers
We've long been advocates of a Bill of Rights for airline passengers (which would assure them water, clean toilets and fresh air, especially if they are stuck on the ground for more than three hours), and have never understood why the major airlines have opposed legislature that would guarantee providing customers with these basic necessities.
So we couldn't have been happier when U.S. District Judge Lawrence Kahn upheld the New York State law, America's first "airline passenger bill of rights," which was passed last August and is scheduled to take effect Jan. 1. Although the airlines are likely to appeal (on the grounds that only the federal government can regulate airlines), we hope that this new law becomes a model for other states and eventually becomes the national standard.
If you'll be at New York City's Rockefeller Center in the next week or so to see the famous Christmas tree, take a moment to admire another amazing sight: the Penny Harvest Field, which is just uptown from the tree, between 50th and 51st Streets. The display features over a million dollars in pennies -- in tribute to all the NYC school children who have donated almost a billion pennies to various charities over the past 16 years. But don't wait too long to see what a million dollars in pennies looks like -- the Penny Harvest Field will only be on display until December 31st!
For the fifth year, Macy's in San Francisco has made UCSF Children's Hospital the beneficiary of its annual holiday tree in Union Square. For $10, anyone can sponsor a light bulb to illuminate the tree. All the proceeds will benefit the Children's Hospital's specialized programs that provide the very best medical care for children facing a life-threatening illness as well as essential emotional support for their families. Last year, $145,000 was raised through the community's efforts. You can make your donation to sponsor a light on the tree now through December 24 by visiting UCSF Medical Center/UCSF Children's Hospital gift shop located at 505 Parnassus Avenue, by calling 888-689-UCSF, or by donating online.
Tired of the same old holiday music? We've got the cure for you! Join IC EXPRESS (the IC stands for "intercontinental") and special guest, Grammy-winning drummer Bobby Sanabria, for their Holiday Music Spectacular, a performance by the Latin Jazz Big Band that sings in seven languages. This special holiday event includes Tango Jazz Fusion, Old School Salsa and Arabic Hip Hop, even belly dancers! The fun takes place at New York City's IL CampanelloRistorante on Saturday, December 15th. Our insider tip: come early and have dinner... we're told the Argentine-Italo cuisine is awesome!
Shopping for holiday gifts doesn't have to be a hassle. This year, why not avoid the crowds at the mall altogether and give your loved ones what they really deserve -- a vacation! Planning the perfect present is easy: just zip over to CheapTickets.com and choose from their full array of vacation packages. Budget tight this year? Not to worry: with the Cheap of the Week you can afford a great get-away for only a few greenbacks. So whether it's the pink sand beaches of Bermuda, the Aloha spirit of Hawaii or the glitz and glamour of New York City, Cheaptickets.com has a vacation package that's ready to wrap.
There are countless big, bold ways to mark the holiday season in New York City. Tonight, for example, you can join the crowds at 5:30 pm for a special lighting ceremony of the world's largest Hanukkah Menorah (32 feet high), located at 59th Street and Fifth Avenue; the celebration continues at the same time each night of the holiday. Want more tips on what to do and what to see in New York this month? Check out our editors' top holiday picks for each day this month.
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