“Try To Remember The Kind Of September When Life Was Slow And Oh So Mellow…”

The past, present and future converge in the month of September.  We return to routine, schedules, football, fashion, cooler days, school days and the beginning of the holidays (operative word: “daze”).  September is a harbinger of what’s yet to come mixed poignantly and sentimentally with what has already been.

Whatever your September song may be, sing it with passion and gusto.  May your heart always remember when it’s deep in December!

September 11th, 8:15 am

Marking the 15th anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy, The Table of Silence Project 9/11 is a multi-cultural prayer ceremony for peace.  This poignant annual tribute, streams live to over 82 countries and features more than 150 performers from New York’s dance community who create a stunningly reverential experience, giving life to those who lost their own.  This free, public performance was proclaimed a ceremony that uses “the power of movement to spread a message of peace and hope” by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo.

Lincoln Center Plaza, Columbus Avenue between 62nd-66th St.

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If you’re looking for the best cream cheese, lox and bagels on the planet, head on over to Russ & Daughters.  This family-owned shop has been offering high-end smoked salmon, fish, caviar and New York specialty foods since 1914.  Hailed by the Smithsonian Institute, National Register of Historic Places, New York Times and National Public Radio for its contribution to New York’s culinary and historical landscape, Russ & Daughters continues to provide the taste and traditions of the quintessential New York experience.   Can’t make it to the store? No problem!  Order on line and they will ship to you.

Russ & Daughters, 179 East Houston Street http://russanddaughters.com

Russ & Daughters Cafe

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Looking for a weekend brunch spot?  Opened on the 100th anniversary of its parent shop, Russ & Daughters Cafe takes the appetizing classics for which Russ & Daughters is famous and presents them in a beautiful setting that evokes the timeless appeal of this New York City icon.  Watch expert smoked salmon slicers work their magic right in front of you while an old-fashioned soda fountain beckons with homemade sodas and classic egg creams.  An open kitchen replicates the same over-the-counter experience as their eponymous shop making this the perfect spot to grab a bite any time of day.

Russ & Daughters Cafe,  127 Orchard Street (212) 475-4881  http://russanddaughterscafe.com

September 7th  6 – 9pm

A tisket, a tasket … the perfect picnic basket.  DIFFA hosts the fifth Annual PICNIC BY DESIGN summer party at the Mercantile Annex in Hudson Yards.  Bid on one -of -a -kind picnic baskets made by some of New York City’s top tastemakers while enjoying specialty cocktails, wine and gourmet picnic fare among more than 200 designers, manufacturers and artists.  Proceeds support DIFFA’s grants to further the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Mercantile Annex   517 West 37th Street  Ticket info @http://diffa.org/picnic-by-design

September 11th

Tribute in Light is an art installation that is produced annually in New York on the anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks.  Tribute in Light illuminates the New York City sky just south of the Memorial site.  The illuminated memorial reaches 4 miles into the sky and is visible within a 60 mile radius on a clear night.  It is comprised of 88 7,000-watt light bulbs positioned into two 48-foot squares, echoing the shape of the Twin Towers.

Thursday, September 22nd  7pm

Now entering its 21st year, Harvest in the Square not only showcases and celebrates the diversity of  Union Square’s culinary community but helps support the park’s beautification and programming as well.  Chefs from the area’s best restaurants serve tasty dishes using fresh produce from Union Square Greenmarket, pairing them with local wines and microbrews.  Tickets are $125 in advance/ $150 event day.  For tickets go to http://harvestinthesquare.nyc

Location: Union Square Park, 14th-17th St., from Union Square East (Fourth Ave./Park Ave. South) to University Place  

Did you know that inside the Union Square subway station, past a small transit police precinct, is an understated memorial wall dedicated to the thousands of victims that perished in the September 11th attacks?  Although seemingly in plain sight, it is one of the most unassuming and therefore, poignant of the 9/11 memorials in the city.   Erected in 2002, time has taken its toll on the paper labels that had been lovingly affixed to the subway wall tiles, some having faded or fallen off altogether.  Each label is inscribed with the name and hometown of the deceased. There is no official plaque or description… just typed names on scraps of paper, many of which have heart stickers and touching handwritten notes scrawled on them.

Thursday, September 1st – Monday, September 5th at 8pm

The Met’s annual Summer HD Festival of free outdoor opera screenings on the Lincoln Center Plaza returns for it’s eighth season.  The series will present performances from the company’s acclaimed Live in HD series of movie-theater transmissions.  For the third year in a row the Met is collaborating with the Film Society of Lincoln Center to open the festival with an opera-related film.  This year’s feature will be the 1985 Oscar winner “Amadeus”.  Check it out!

Lincoln Center Plaza.  For more info go to http://metopera.org

Sunday, September 4th  1pm – 6pm

Nostalgic county fair magic is alive and well in the wild west of Manhattan!  While away these last days of summer at The West Side County Fair complete with carnival ride, games, live music, sideshow performers, aerialists, local food and merchandise vendors.

Riverside Park at  West 70th Street