Sightsology
Fleet Week 2012 features tall ships, Blue Angels
NYC Fleet Week 2012 begins Wednesday morning with the Parade of Ships combined with a special tall-ship contingent, OpSail, commemorating the bicentennial of the War of 1812. The U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels will also do a flyover during the Parade of Ships.
The ships will get a cannon salute as they begin their journey at the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge and head toward the Statue of Liberty. The ships will head up the Hudson River to the George Washington Bridge before returning back down the Hudson.
Participating ships include the USS Roosevelt, the USS Wasp, USCGC Eagle, RFA Argus of the UK Royal Navy, Finland’s FNS Pohjanmaa, Canada’s HMCS Iroquois, Japan’s JS Shirane and tall ships from France, Brazil, Ecuador, Spain and Mexico.
Fleet Week events are scheduled from May 23 through 30.
Wednesday, May 23
The Parade of Sail schedule, according to the OpSail website:
8:11 a.m. - The first tall ships sail under the Verrazano Narrows Bridge
9:18 a.m. - The first ships reach the Statue of Liberty
10:30 a.m. - Military parade of ships begins under the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge
11:07 a.m. - The first tall ships reach the George Washington Bridge and begin the turn-around
Noon - Northbound warships pass southbound tall ships near the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum to coincide with the military aircraft flyover
2 to 4 p.m. - Ships moor at berths in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Staten Island.
Fleet Week and OpSail viewing cruises are offered by Circle Line Sightseeing, New York Water Taxi, Manhattan by Sail and Classic Harbor Line.
U.S. Navy livestream some Fleet Week events on May 23.
The Intrepid’s flight deck hosts the “Men in Black 3” premiere after party. Tickets are on sale to the public for $150.
Thursday, May 24
Throughout the remainder of Fleet Week, ships docked at Manhattan’s Pier 90 and Pier 92 as well as Staten Island’s The Sullivans’ (Stapleton Homeport) Pier will be open for free tours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The tall ship Gloria will be open for tours at the Intrepid’s Pier 86 in Manhattan.
A ceremony at the Intrepid at 11:30 a.m. will mark the 50th anniversary of the Mercury-Atlas 7 Mission, in which the USS Intrepid picked up astronaut Scott Carpenter, who will attend the ceremony.
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May 22, 2012 4:46 PM Comments (0)
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Enterprise barge trip tentatively set for June 4-6
Since space shuttle Enterprise’s dramatic arrival to NYC on April 27, officials have been busy finalizing its next trip - to the Hudson River.
The next public step in the Enterprise’s journey to the Intrepid Museum is tentatively scheduled to begin Monday, June 4 on a barge at JFK Airport.
The two-day trip will conclude June 6 at Pier 86 as the space shuttle will be lifted by crane onto the retired aircraft carrier, the USS Intrepid. The barge’s route has not yet been confirmed, a museum spokesman told NewYorkology.
The Enterprise will be placed in a temporary, climate-controlled Space Pavilion on the Intrepid’s Flight Deck. (Ultimately it will be moved to a permanent exhibition facility.)
The Enterprise will be on exhibit to the public starting July 19. Museum admission with access to the Space Shuttle Pavilion will cost $30 for adults; $26 for seniors and students; $23 for veterans and youth ages 7 through 17; $16 for children 3 to 6; and free admission for U.S. active military, retired U.S. military, and children under 3. (The museum classifies a “veteran” as someone who has served in the armed forces for any amount of time, and “retired U.S. military” as someone who devoted his or her career to the military and is now retired, a museum spokesman told NewYorkology.)
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May 8, 2012 12:27 PM Comments (0)
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1 WTC officially tallest building in NYC
Shortly after 2 p.m. today, One World Trade Center became the tallest building in New York City.
 Since Sept. 11, 2001, the Empire State Building had been the tallest skyscraper in the city.
“What you see here today is this determination to remember what we lost, and rebuild even higher,” Bill Baroni, the deputy executive director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, said during a ceremony marking the milestone. “This is a great day for the Port Authority, for the people of New York and New Jersey, but it will be greater when this building is teeming with tenants and teeming with people going to work and tourists coming up here to look at the amazing views.”
The Empire State Building is 1,250 feet tall (but if you count its broadcast tower, it’s 1,453 feet, 8 9/16 inches.) But even the owners of the Empire State Building aren’t quibbling over the broadcast tower today. “The world’s most famous office building, the ancestor of all super-tall towers, welcomes our newer, taller cousin to the skyline. We’ve watched you grow, and now we salute you,” reads the official statement issued on behalf of the Empire State Building.
The Empire State Building tonight will light up red, white and blue “in honor of 1 World Trade Center.” 1 WTC tonight will light up in blue and white, the official colors of the Port Authority, according to Port Authority Executive Director Pat Foye.
During today’s milestone, two, 26-foot steel interior columns were attached to the top of 1 WTC, reaching a height of 1,271 feet above street level, according to the Port Authority.
The public observation deck at 1 WTC will also surpass the ESB’s public’s outdoor deck on 86, indoor observation deck on 102 and the outdoor, VIP-only 103rd floor.
In the coming months, 1 World Trade Center will top out at 1,368 feet, (104 stories) and then get a 408-foot telecommunications spire that will push the tower’s height to 1,776 feet. It will be the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere.
The goal is to open the building in 2014, Foye said during today’s news conference.
Also rising rapidly at the World Trade Center complex, 4 WTCnear the southwest corner of the site, is close to reaching its full height of 977 feet, at 72 stories. At a construction update two weeks ago, 4 WTC was listed at 65 floors.
Often overlooked, the 52-story rebuilt 7 WTC opened on the north side of the site in 2006. (It replaced the 47-story WTC 7 that collapsed at 5:20 p.m. on Sept. 11.)
The plaza and waterfalls at the 9/11 Memorial have been open to the public since the 10-year anniversary of the attack. The museum remains under construction but there is a 9/11 Memorial Preview Site on Vesey Street and the Tribute WTC 9/11 center on Liberty Street.
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April 30, 2012 2:40 PM Comments (1)
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Space shuttle Enterprise lands in New York City
The space shuttle test vehicle Enterprise today arrived in New York City, passing by the State of Liberty and other landmarks before landing at John F. Kennedy International Airport.
 Sometime in June, the Enterprise will be placed on a barge that tugboats will guide up the Hudson River to the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum. Later this summer, the Enterprise will go on display to the public as part of the museum’s permanent collection. Initially the shuttle will be on the flight deck of the Intrepid, but ultimately will get its own facility, possibly across the street from the aircraft carrier.
The Enterprise today arrived piggyback on a NASA 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft with two T-38 aircraft serving as “photo support.”
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April 27, 2012 11:19 AM Comments (0)
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NASA reschedules Enterprise NYC trip for April 27
Update: The Enterprise space shuttle landed April 27.
New York City will have to wait just a little longer for the final voyage of the space shuttle Enterprise.
For the second time, the weather has caused NASA to reschedule the flight of the Enterprise to New York from Washington. The new tentative date is Friday morning, April 27, the space agency announced today.
Previously, the flight had been scheduled for April 23 and then April 25. A large region of low pressure over the east coast has made it difficult to predict an ideal flight day, NASA said.
“Once officially approved, NASA’s 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA) with Enterprise mounted atop will fly at a relatively low altitude over various parts of the New York City metropolitan area on Friday,” NASA stated in a news release. “The Federal Aviation Administration is coordinating the flight, which is scheduled to occur between 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. EDT, weather permitting. The exact route and timing depend on weather and operational constraints. … If all goes as planned, the aircraft is expected to fly near a variety of landmarks in the New York metropolitan area, including the Statue of Liberty and the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum.”
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April 24, 2012 12:57 PM Comments (0)
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Brooklyn zoo acquires four Australian dingoes
Brooklyn’s Prospect Park Zoo today debuted four young Australian dingoes who will live in the zoo’s Australian Walkabout on the Discovery Trail.
This is the first time in 40 years that dingoes have lived in a New York City zoo, according to the Wildlife Conservation Society, which operates the zoos in Brooklyn, Central Park, Queens and the Bronx, as well as the Coney Island aquarium.
The zoo’s four dingoes, two males and two females, were born last year in Australia. They will be exhibited one male/female pair at a time, alternating with the other couple.
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April 12, 2012 4:17 PM Comments (0)
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Macy's July 4, 2012 fireworks set for Hudson River
 The Macy’s 4th of July fireworks will remain on the Hudson River for 2012, a spokesman for the company said today.
The barges will be positioned in the Hudson River between 18th and 48th streets, Macy’s spokesman Orlando Veras today told NewYorkology via email.
Earlier, Macy’s said it would make the location announcement in early spring. Brooklyn in particular has been lobbying for the fireworks to return to the East River.
Other upcoming 2012 NYC fireworks shows include summer Friday nights at Coney Island, a New York Mets fireworks night and a few privately-sponsored events near Liberty and Ellis islands.
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April 2, 2012 5:42 PM Comments (0)
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Empire State to light up for Easter, Earth Day in April
 The Empire State Building in April will light up for Easter, Earth Day, baseball’s Opening Day and other events, according to the tower’s official lighting schedule.
The April lighting schedule:
April 2 - blue in honor of Autism Speaks and World Autism Awareness Day
April 4 - red, white and blue in honor of Major League Baseball’s Opening Day
April 5 through 8 - green, pink and yellow in celebration of Easter
Update: April 11 - In a deviation from its posted all-white schedule, portions of the building lit up in tie-dye colors for part of the night.
Update: April 17 - red, white and blue for the United States Olympic Committee and 100 Days to the 2012 Olympic Games in London
Update: April 18 - tie-dye colors in honor of Phil Lesh, Bob Weir and FURTHUR
April 20 through 22 - green in honor of Earth Day
April 25 - blue, white and blue for the National Trust for Historic Preservation and Partners in Preservation
April 26 - red, red and white in honor of Coty Inc. and the annual DKMS Linked Against Leukemia Gala
April 27 through 29 - pink, pink and white in honor of the Sakura Bicentennial. Update as of April 16: The listing now states the lighting will be for the Sakura Centennial.
Update: April 30 - red, white and blue “in honor of 1 World Trade Center” as it passes the Empire State to become the tallest building in NYC.
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April 2, 2012 4:19 PM Comments (0)
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Blue Angels make Fleet Week prep flight over Hudson
A pair of U.S. Navy F/A-18 jets from its Blue Angels flight demonstration squadron is making a series of passes over the Hudson River this morning in preparation for Fleet Week New York 2012.
“Pilots will visually inspect the airspace to ensure the six-jet demonstration team can safely maneuver during the Fleet Week New York flyovers,” the U.S. Navy Blue Angels said on its Facebook page.
This year’s Fleet Week, May 23 through 30, coincides with OpSail 2012, marking the Bicentennial of the War of 1812.
The full six-jet Blue Angels Fleet Week flyover is scheduled for May 23.
The Blue Angels are also scheduled to appear at this year’s Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach on May 26 and 27.
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April 2, 2012 10:33 AM Comments (0)
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Schedule of upcoming NYC fireworks for 2012
 Dozens of fireworks shows are on the New York City fireworks calendar for 2012, including summer Coney Island boardwalk shows, post-game baseball spectaculars and of course the big July 4 event sponsored by Macy’s.
The following list has been independently compiled by NewYorkology based on information from the U.S. Coast Guard, the City of New York and event sponsors. (Some sponsoring organizations decline to state why they’ve paid for the fireworks, and on occasion they’ve been canceled without notice.) This list will be updated as more information becomes available.
April 20 - 10:30 p.m.
A fireworks display using 8-inch shells will be fired from a barge at the Federal Anchorage near Liberty Island.
Sponsor: Allied PRA.
May 10 - 10 p.m.
Location: Pelham Bay and Split Rock Golf Course in the Bronx.
Sponsor: American Golf Corporation.
May 12 - 11:30 p.m.
A 10-minute display using 8-inch shells will be fired from two barges near Liberty Island.
Sponsor: National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations Awards
May 23 - 10 p.m.
A 17-minute display using 8-inch shells will be fired from a barge near Pier 90 in the Hudson River.
Sponsor: “Men in Black 3” movie premiere after party on the Flight Deck of the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
June 15 - 9:30 p.m.
Location: Coney Island Boardwalk.
Sponsor: Coney Island Development Corporation.
Update: June 16 - sometime between 8:30 and 9:48 p.m.
Location: An 18-minute display using 10-inch shells will launch from a barge at Midland Beach - Staten Island/Lower NY Bay.
Sponsor: Midland Beach Sea Turtle
Update: June 18 - Post-game fireworks for the Brooklyn Cyclones
Location: Inside MCU Park at Coney Island, Brooklyn.
Sponsor: Brooklyn Cyclones.
June 19 - Post-game Opening Day fireworks for the Staten Island Yankees
Location: Richmond County Bank Ballpark, Staten Island.
Sponsor: Staten Island Yankees.
June 20 - Post-game fireworks for the Staten Island Yankees
Location: Richmond County Bank Ballpark, Staten Island.
Sponsor: Staten Island Yankees.
Update: June 20 - between 7 and 8:30 p.m.
Pyrotechnics Demo at the Former Coast Guard Station at Fort Totten, Queens
Sponsor: U.S. Coast Guard
June 22 - 9:30 p.m.
Location: Coney Island Boardwalk.
Sponsor: Coney Island Development Corporation.
June 23 - 9:45 p.m.
Location: A 15-minute display using shells no larger than 8-inches will be fired from a barge near Ellis Island.
Sponsor: Girl Scouts 100th Anniversary.
June 23 - Post-game fireworks for the Staten Island Yankees
Location: Richmond County Bank Ballpark, Staten Island.
Sponsor: Staten Island Yankees.
June 24 - 10:30 p.m.
A 20-minute display using 8-inch shells will be fired from a barge near Pier 54 in the Hudson River.
Sponsor: Heritage of Pride.
Update: June 25 - sometime between 8:45 and 10:10 p.m.
A fireworks show using 6-inch shells near Wards Island/ Hell Gate Bridge
Sponsor: Central Astoria Local Development Coalition
June 29 - 9:30 p.m.
Location: Coney Island Boardwalk.
Sponsor: Coney Island Development Corporation.
Update: June 29 at 9:20 p.m.
A 22-minute fireworks display using 10-inch shells at Orchard Beach for Bronx Salutes America
Sponsor: Bronx Borough President’s Office
June 29 - Post-game fireworks for the Staten Island Yankees
Location: Richmond County Bank Ballpark, Staten Island.
Sponsor: Staten Island Yankees.
Update: June 29 - Post-game fireworks for the Brooklyn Cyclones
Location: Inside MCU Park at Coney Island, Brooklyn.
Sponsor: Brooklyn Cyclones.
June 30 - Post-game fireworks for the Brooklyn Cyclones.
Location: Inside MCU Park at Coney Island, Brooklyn.
Sponsor: Brooklyn Cyclones.
Update: June 30 - sometime between 8:30 and 9:48 p.m.
Location: An 18-minute display using 10-inch shells will be fired from a barge at Wolf’s Pond Park at Staten Island/Lower NY Bay.
Sponsor: Wolf’s Pond Park
Update: July 1 - sometime between 9:15 and 10:35 p.m.
Location: 20-minute display using 8-inch shells at Fort Hamilton, Brooklyn
Sponsor: Fort Hamilton Independence Day Celebration
Update: July 2 - Post-game fireworks for the Brooklyn Cyclones
Location: Inside MCU Park at Coney Island, Brooklyn.
Sponsor: Brooklyn Cyclones.
July 3 - 9 p.m.
Location: Three-inch shells will be fired near the Hutchinson River/Co-op City-Little League Field in the Bronx.
Sponsor: Riverbay Fund.
July 3 - Following the 7:10 p.m. Mets game vs. the Phillies.
Annual fireworks night at Citi Field in Queens.
Sponsor: New York Mets.
July 4 - 9 p.m.
A 30-minute display will be fired from the Hudson River
Sponsor: Macy’s.
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March 28, 2012 2:26 PM Comments (0)
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