some recommendations

Tara Donovan, Untitled (Plastic Cups), 2006, installation dimensions variable,
approx. 4' x 54' 5" x 49' 8" [image from pacewildenstein.com]

Go see Tara Donovan at PaceWildenstein, 545 W 22nd St (between 10th and 11th Aves). Her giant installation is up through April 22.

Go to the New Museum of Contemporary Art/Chelsea, 556 W 22nd St, and see 3 great exhibits. Andrea Zittel is all that I wanted her to be and more. Plus don't miss Courtney Smith's parasite furniture sculptures on Floor 2 (through April 15) and Didier Mahieu's etherial installations on Floor 3 (through April 30).

Verlaine, 110 Rivington St, has a nice selection of Vietnamese/French inspired cocktails with a happy hour that extends until 10pm!

Check out Trader Joe's when the line to get in dies down. Yes, on Saturday, there was a line outside!! I got in on opening day, and browsed all the products, sandwiched in with the mob of shoppers. I noticed the prices were more in NY, but NO said the Trader Joe's worker. It is because prices have gone up in every store since I shopped there. They do not set different prices for different stores, said he. That is good to know. Some things had only gone up a dime or 30 cents so it really isn't that bad anyway.

Are you a member of the Y? Did you know that you can use many different Y's to vary your workout scenery? You can go to any Y that participates in the AWAY Program for free! Check the back of your membership card and go to www.ymca.net and type in your zip code for a list near you! So far, I have gone for great swims at McBurney on 14th, Vanderbilt on E 47th, International at W 63rd, Prospect Park in Brooklyn and Long Island City in Queens. All have free towel service too!

The pool at the McBurney Y on 14th and 6th [image from flikr]