Movies Take Manhattan

The Central Park Conservancy presents its annual film festival tonight and every night through Saturday (Aug. 24-28). The theme, of course, is Manhattan. Well, no one ever said the city wasn't in love with itself.

The Rundown:
Tuesday, August 24: Fame (1980)
Wednesday, August 25: The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 (2009)
Thursday, August 26: Saturday Night Fever (1977)
Friday, August 27: King Kong (1933)
Saturday, August 28: Manhattan (1979)

Films start at 8 p.m., gates open at 6:30. Enter at 72nd street, continue north of Sheep Meadow. Bring a picnic (the fine print says sober, my friends).

Cost: free Payoff: cultural references to throw around at cocktail parties or at your freshman film class (and maybe a few bug bites for the trouble)

Aw Shucks, It's Happy Hour

When it comes to oysters and many other treasures of the sea, there are not many things I wouldn't do to get my claws on them. So when I was at the East Village Mermaid Inn with only about 20 minutes to go before its $1 Oyster Special ended I knew had to get serious. The bar was packed with patrons slurping with abandon and I had no seat. Could I stand there and balance a plate on one arm? Sure, I'm not proud. I put in an order. Praise be to Neptune, I got a seat and heartily enjoyed $6 worth of oysters and a cold glass of Sauvignon Blanc. Next time, I get there at opening time. (the doors that is)

Cost: $1 per yummy Blue Point Oyster Payoff: A pearl of an evening in a pearl of a place

Mermaid Inn: 96 Second Ave. Between 5th and 6th streets. Happy Hour is 5:30 to 7 Monday through Saturday and 5 to 7 on Sundays. More locations.

My Empire State of Mind

I created Nearly Free in NYC to offer readers opportunities to enjoy and participate in events and activities around Gotham. Beyond the obvious merits of free (and almost) free things to do, there's a deeper benefit to be had. There's the inner contentment of peace of knowing: I HAVE ALL THAT I NEED RIGHT HERE AND NOW. MY LIFE I RICH AND FULL AS IT IS.

Trust me, I struggle with this concept DAILY. Working for a couple handfuls of peanuts, trying to undo past debt mistakes, and just plainly, trying to have fun once in a while makes it difficult to feel that I HAVE. Sometime after moving to New York City four years ago, I had the revelation that this very-expensive-city also makes me feel rich in spirit if not in pocket.

It's beautiful here. The architecture for one. The many shades of people that I meet. The museums. The restaurants. The parks. There is so much to be had--the question is how do you take advantage of your own backyard? And how do you make choices that promote financial and spiritual freedom in the mean time?

What about living in New York City (or other place) makes you feel rich?