Reinventing the Bank Experience at Union Square: Review by Polly Guerin

Union Square, one of the most vibrant and historic intersections in New York City, is a pulsating hub. Throughout nearly 185 years it has been the gathering place for commerce, for entertainment, for labor, political events, farmer's markets and happenings. 
     It is the place to be and see the young and mature cognoscenti especially enjoy the park which owes its name to the location at the intersection---or union---of two major roads in New York City;  Broadway, the former Bloomingdale Road, and Fourth Avenue, the former Bowery Road. 
THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION The site was authorized by the State Legislature as a public place in 1831 and acquired by the City of New York in 1833. For those you have forgotten their American Revolution history, the equestrian statue of King George III, pulled down by patriotic citizens and the historic moment November 25, 1783, is recognized as Evacuation Day, when the British were finally driven out of the city.  For years Evacuation Day was celebrated as a major holiday to commemorate the end of British rule in the United States.
    Who resides in the Park today? The equestrian statue of United States President George Washington, by Henry Kirke Brown, the first public sculpture erected in New York City, was unveiled in 1856.
    With such an illustrious past Union Square, surrounded by trendy neighborhoods, such as Chelsea, the Flatiron District, East Village and Gramercy Park, is a fast paced epicenter that attracts multi-national pedestrians and tourists from all over the world. It is any wonder, therefore, that a major bank's headquarters are located here?

By David Aquino Sanchez

WHERE IS THE BANK? When I first walked into the bank's headquarters, on the bank's storefront street level there were people sitting by the windows working on their laptops, just like a trendy restaurant. Then too, further into the street level, an artist, David Aquino Sanchez was painting a large mural, a replica of his rendering of a New York City themed painting, the apple morphed into an eagles head, plus other iconic images. "What are you doing here I asked?"  He explained that through a community outreach program, the bank features an artist every three months and that he would be at the location finalizing his masterpiece until September. This engaging artist has a large repertoire of works in color that identify with his diverse oeuvre. He takes pride in the charity he has formed to help the youths of Santa Domingo.  Called, the Shoeshine Boys, he plans to garner funds to help to elevate the young boys and girls out of their poverty circumstances. Visit David at www.davinaquinoart.com.
Yet there still was no sign of a traditional bank.
     Instead there was a glamorous staircase to ascend to the next level which again did not look like a bank and had even more remarkable spaces such as individual mini booths by the windows, which were already taken up by business and personal Internet people working. Then, too, there is a tablet station, but most impressive is a rather spacious open viewing lounge with huge windows overlooking the park. No reservations required, just take one of the colorful seats,  where weary individuals can, if they wish, merely sit and take in the panoramic view of the Union Square intersection. What's this all about I asked?  

Window Booths (individual work areas) and elongated Tablet Station 

REINVENTING THE BANK  A well informed individual explained, "It's Capital One's flagship bank, bringing back the human element in banking, returning to a place of hospitality and offering diverse fast-land Manhattanites an opportunity to slow down and perk up, and visit anytime they wish to---even when they are not banking."  And, did I mention--there's Peet's coffee shop where customers can take a breather and sip a hand-crafted cup of coffee, even bring it with them. Of yes, by the way, this is a bank, there is not doubt about it, and there's time to do traditional banking or discuss the diverse banking opportunities; all this in an innovative open environment. 
For further information Capital One Bank, 853 Broadway, NYC 10003 www.capitalone.com.
     Ta Ta Darlings!!!  Destination Union Square is the place to be and relaxing in the new bank experience is worth a trip downtown. Fan mail welcome at pollytalknyc@gmail.com. Visit Polly's Blogs at www.pollytalk.com and click in the left-hand column to the Blogs that resonate with your interest.

NEW YORK SINGS ANGELIC CHRISTMAS MUSIC

POLLYTALK FROM NEW YORK
By Polly Guerin
December 7, 2009

NEW YORK SINGS ANGELIC CHRISMAS MUSIC
Gather snowflakes while you may, for singing fills the winter night. Listen to the melodious song Christmas will be here before too long. And have you heard the angels singing? Raising their voices all around the star lit town most events are Free and oh what glee to hear such joyous ringing of percussion, brass and bells!!! Here’s the scoop!!!
Calling all Angels!!! Let voices rise up with cheer at the 5th Annual Carol Sing with seasonal choral music for harp and strings by Houkom, Paulus & Willan at (MAPC) the Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church, Wednesday, December 16th at 7 pm, 921 Madison Avenue at 73rd Street. FREE Admission! Audience carols, poetry and readings with the Saint Andrew Chorale & Orchestra, children’s Choirs. Andrew Henderson & Mary Huff, conductors, John 7 Joyce Evans, readers. Then on December 20th THE PIPES OF CHARISTMAS features Music of the Season performed on pipes, and organ and brass. For more info: Tel: 212.288.8920; www.mapc.com.
Scandinavia lights up the holidays with the Annual Holiday Concert with (SCO) the Scandinavian Chamber Orchestra at ASF) American Scandinavian Foundation’s Scandinavia House, 58 Park Ave. (38th Street). Led by its founder Per Tengstrand and Magnus Martensson, SCO will perform classical works along with traditional Scandinavian Christmas music in a special concert that celebrates the magic of the holidays in Scandinavia. Sunday, December 13, at 4pm $25 ($15 ASF members). There’s a Swedish Children’s Christmas Workshop on December 12th at 1 pm. Children will experience how Swedes prepare for Christmas in a customary julpysseldag (Christmas craft day). They will created their own decorations and learn the secrets of making traditional holiday items like woven hearts, yarn tomtar and paper angels. Cost $6 ($4 ASF members, ages 5 to 10. www.scandinaviahouse.org. FREE is the Saturday morning storytelling with Hans Christian Anderson storytellers, Dec. 12 and Jan. 9, 11am, ages 5+. Stories and songs from Sweden by Therese Folkes-Plaire. Last chance to see the film THE LAST FARM Wed., Dec.9th, 6:30pm & Sat.,Dec, 12 3pm. Tickets $9 ($6 ASF members).
FASHION’S NIGHT OUT, Italian Style is the place to be from Dec. 10th to Dec. 22 on New York’s Madison Avenue where MADE IN ITALY features a Free shopping spree with incentives. 30 Italian luxury purveyors who have banded together with special events, charity tie-ins, discounts, and gifts-with-purchase in the holiday spirit offering incentives to encourage shopping. By invitation: Made in Italy kicks off with a VIP party Dec. 10th at the Morgan Library & Museum on Madison at 36th Street with free sparkling wine at Giorgio Armani on Madison between 65th and 66th streets, an unveiling of Fretter’s limited edition collection with Town & Country editor in chief Pamela Fiori, on Madison between 65th and 68th streets, and a cocktail party at Bric’s, on Madison between 54th and 55th Streets to support the T.J. Martell Foundation for Leukemia Cancer and AIDS research. All this and more sponsored by The Italian Trade Commission and the Madison Avenue Business Improvement District. For a VIP invite contact: rsvp@aciconani.com.
TARGET-TO-GO Comes to New York for the Holidays at Gansevoort and Washington Streets at the entrance to the High Line. Don’t get fooled it’s not a store or even a pop-up shop. It’s a façade with a list of different products to choose from. Shoppers will request products by number at the ordering window and then go to another window to pick up your purchase, which will be wrapped and ready to place under the Christmas tree. Target To-Go runs from Dec. 11th to 13th, from 10am to 8pm. WHEW!!! New York may still not have a Target, but Target-To-Go is worth the visit.
Well, Ta Ta, my darlings. I’m off to hear the angels singing and do a little holiday shopping myself. Fan mail welcome: pollytalk@verison.net. A visit to my blogs will give you greater insight into the world of pomp and circumstance. http://www.amazingartdecodivas.blogspot.com. If fashion is your passion go to http://www.thefashionhistorianpollyguerin.blogspot.com. For beauty advice from a sage of the ages go to http://www.awakenyoursleepingbeautyedgarcayce.blogspot.com. HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!