Holiday Adventures in NYC
The article then moves in to more traditionally known avenues for holiday fun in New York City. Various companies and organizations throughout the entire holiday season perform the Nutcracker, a holiday classic. Some versions are specifically for children as well. 17 Holiday light displays are spread throughout the city as well, with several locations that provide a magical experience. In Queens, there is a display entitled “Santa’s Corner” on the corner of 166th Street and 23rd Avenue. “The Christmas House” is located in the Bronx, specifically at 1605 Pelham Parkway N. and Westervelt Avenue. Brooklyn has two locales; the first is “The Holiday Light Spectacular,” located at 310A 22nd Street. Additionally in Brooklyn is the world famous “Dyker Heights Christmas Lights.” The display has earned its own documentary and a stock of YouTube videos; as a result, it can tend to be busy. Dyker Heights is located at 11th to 13th Avenues, between 83rd and 86th Streets. However, the most noted set of lights sits upon the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center; the tree is typically lit from early December to early January. Also in Rockefeller Center is ice skating—another very popular family holiday activity. There are several rinks throughout the city, in addition to the one located at Rockefeller—Central Park, Chelsea Piers and Bryant Park.
A holiday train show can also be an exciting adventure for all family members. Annually, the New York Botanical Garden holds a Holiday Train Show. The show is very popular; book tickets early, as they tend to sell out.
Get Out of the City and Head to New England for Fall
First is the tradition of pumpkin picking. The article claims that Stowe farms in Vermont is the best location to engage in this tradition; the rolling hills and plenty of farm acreage affords many opportunities to pick a variety of produce—from pumpkins to apples. Staying at the Stowe Mountain Lodge is also suggested, as the luxury properties offer a rustic feel that is quintessential to Vermont. Next, hiking in Connecticut is suggested. Often, this state is associated with high-end properties. However, the article denotes that there is a variety of outdoor foliage to be enjoyed, if only one knows where to look. Many hiking trails are provided, to suit the needs of all—from beginner to expert. The Winvian is the suggested means of lodging. Located in the countryside outside of Morris, the locale offers individual cottages and a surrounding in nature. Along similar lines, the article suggests cycling in Maine as another outdoor activity. The state offers many gorgeous leave changes, and biking is perhaps the best way to see the sights. Towns such as Kennebunkport and Ogunquit afford the best sites; mountain bikers can also enjoy the terrain provided by Portland, as well. There is also lodging provided in the Kennebunkport Inn; the luxury property was previously a privately owned mansion. Finally in terms of outdoor activities, hitting the beaches in Rhode Island is suggested. There will be little to no crowds and the lighthouses can provide unique viewing opportunities.
Alternatively, the article also suggests indoor activities. First, there is shopping in Boston, particularly along Newbury Street, which is lined with brownstones that now hold stores and restaurants. In three such renovated brownstones is the Newbury Guest House—a boutique hotel that provides excellent accommodations. Finally, the article suggests brewery hopping in New Hampshire. In particular, Portsmouth is noted, as it is one of the oldest towns in the country, and many of the oldest breweries call the village home. Redhook Brewery has daily tours; however, Smuttynose is perhaps the most beloved offering of the town. It is suggested that consumer’s stay at Sheraten Harborside Hotel, as it is within walking distance of Portsmouth.
Crowdsourcing New Path for Authors
Publishers are seeking new means of finding the next top rated book. The traditional process, which requires authors to submit manuscripts directly to the publishing house, where it is decided whether they will be accepted or rejected, is being turned on its head, according to an article recently completed by The New York Times. In light of reality shows such as American Idol or The Voice, one publishing house has adapted this method to publications.
Swoon Reads, a website that serves as a young-adult imprint of Macmillan Publishing House, allows authors to submit their manuscripts, where the ten thousand registered consumers can read samples for free, as an adaptation of crowdsourcing, which relies on support from the general public instead of the elite few. Ratings and comments are provided, which allows the author to receive free feedback. From there, if a novel is received particularly well, Macmillan considers accepting the manuscript for publication. Since its inception in 2012, Swoon Reads has only accepted six debut novels of the two hundred and thirty seven manuscripts posted to the website, according to Jean Feiwel, Senior Vice President of Macmillan Publishing and creator of Swoon Reads.
Sandy Hall is one of the lucky six, which had her novel, A Little Something Different published through this system. Fans rated the piece very well and it was, therefore, accepted for publication. The hopes is that in proceeding in the reverse order—which usually publishes the novel first, and worries about building a fan base after release—is that the fans will do the bulk of the marketing work for the publishing house, through encouraging word of mouth.
Similar avenues have existed in the past. Literary agents have long scanned the material provided on Wattpad for the next biggest hit with an already existing following. Recently, authors banned together to create a Kickstarter campaign to fund six thousand work in progress novels; they raised twenty two million dollars in the process. Unbound allows readers to directly support the projects of authors, through financial contributions. Finally, Medium, much like Swoon Reads, allows authors to post and receive feedback.
About Avraham Glattman
Avraham Glattman is the owner of First American Properties Group, a real estate business based in New York City, New York.
Avraham brings over 26 years of experience working as a real estate agent in the city, where he continues to work today. He graduated from Newport University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and Management and remained at the university to attain his Masters of Business Administration (M.B.A.). After graduation, he jumped straight into the real estate field in 1992 in the greater New York City area. Throughout his career, Avraham has explored listings across the New York area, keeping a detailed account of the locations, pricing and comparable properties in the housing market.
After gaining a wealth of knowledge about the real estate marketing in New York, Avraham Glattman decided to take it a step further by creating First American Properties Group with his longtime business partner, Pete Jacov in 2008. First American Properties is a real estate and development company that services the five boroughs of New York. The company currently owns residential and commercial properties in Queens, Downtown Brooklyn, Harlem, and Manhattan. The company focuses on monitoring the growth and development in different areas of the city, so they can work to establish more patterns of growth and help revitalize the area.
While monitoring the different areas of New York City, Avraham Glattman consistently keeps an eye out on up-and-coming neighborhoods that he could potentially invest in. For example, after seeing Harlem, Avraham was immediately impressed by the neighborhood’s charm, leading him to invest in properties in the area. With a convenient location next to the subway and charming business like music venues in the area, it was not hard to see what attracted Avraham to the area.
Today, Avraham Glattman continues to find new investments with First American Properties Group, alongside his business partner, Pete Jacov. Together, they are working towards the goals that they set for First American Properties Group. The goals include acquiring property in the Harlem area to renovate and sell, as well as acquiring properties in all five boroughs.
Avraham Glattman is also the proud owner of 1927 Café Bar Popularr. Located in Harlem, the café serves a variety of open-faced Mediterranean sandwiches, called ‘Toastics’, and many types of coffee. Café Bar Popularr is proud of the rich artistic traditions of Harlem, and invites local musicians, authors, and comedians to visit and share their talents with friends.
Avraham was born and raised in Israel, where he went graduated high school. Not long after, he served in the Israeli army for three years, before he was sent to the United States to work with an Israeli newspaper in Brooklyn, NY. Not long after making the move to New York, Avraham met the woman that would become his wife in 1991. Together, they have three children.
In his spare time, Avraham Glattman enjoys spending his time with his wife and three children and loves to explore new parts of New York City. Avraham’s incredible dedication to both his work and family brings him immense happiness and purpose each day.
To learn more about who Avraham Glattman is, visit AvrahamGlattmanNewYork.com.
