May
17

Foods to Avoid Before Flying

by Ashley Cerasaro

Business travelers are often at the mercy of airport fast food chains, snagging a quick bite before boarding. But before you binge, read our list. AVE asked three registered dietitians to identify the common causes of jet bloat and other up-in-the-air aggravators.

1. Ice on the Plane- The ice on an airplane gets handled and transported several times, which may result in higher bacteria counts. “Pass on the ice and stick with canned or bottled waters,” says Gina Keatley, award-winning dietitian and founder of Keatley Medical Nutrition Therapy.

2. Carbonated Drinks- When you drink carbonated beverages, you are consuming gas, which can lead to flatulence. The gassiness of the beverage is due to the carbon dioxide in the liquid, which creates the fizz. It can also be due to non-nutritive sweeteners, which are indigestible by the colon. “Whenever you choose a carbonated beverage that has zero calories, it can be a double whammy on your colon,” says Marissa Beck, director of wellness at Next Jump Inc. “It’s best to stick with water to avoid unsuspecting side effects.”

3. Fast Food Fare- These high fat meals are difficult for our bodies to digest and they sit longer in the stomach, causing discomfort, possible cramping and gas. “Most fast food meals such as burgers, fries and burritos are severely high in sodium and can cause fluid retention in the ankles and feet,” explains Megan Ware, owner of Nutrition Awareness.

4. Caffeine- Airlines keep planes on the dry side to reduce mildew and smells. The downside is it can cause dehydration. “In large quantities, caffeine is antidiuretic. It leeches water from your body and makes you urinate more,” Keatley says.

5. Alcohol- The primary side effect of alcohol consumption is dehydration and electrolyte depletion, and it gets worse when not concurrently rehydrating. Nausea and headaches are other possible side effects. “Alcohol consumption is a problem when flying because high altitudes can already cause dehydration, headaches and nausea, so the point is to increase fluid intake at high altitudes, not deplete fluids further with alcohol,” Beck says.

6. Spicy Foods- Spicy foods encourage the product of stomach acids and lying down provides an easier path from stomach to esophagus. “Skip snacking on chips and salsa if you plan on napping while you travel to avoid gastrointestinal issues or acid reflux,” Keatley says.

7. High-Fiber Foods- Avoid high-fiber foods like apples, berries, beans and vegetables because they result in increased gas, which can leave you feeling bloated. Although all fibrous foods do cause gas, the effects vary per individual and per food item. Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower tend to cause more gas than other vegetables. “Gas is a problem when flying because it is not only physically uncomfortable, but it can also affect others in your vicinity,” Beck says. “Bloating, another side effect, is highly uncomfortable when sitting in a compact space.”

8. Ice Cream and Milkshakes- Along with being high in fat, ice cream and milkshakes contain lactose. “This sugar, which is found in milk, is hard for a lot of people to digest in large amounts and is known to cause bloating, cramping and flatulence,” says Ware.

What can you eat? We asked our experts to identify their go-to foods before boarding:

Gina Keatley- High-quality trail mix. It’s easy and packed with protein, fiber and healthy fats.

Megan Ware- Foods with high water content such as leafy greens, grapefruit, melon and tomatoes.

Marissa Beck- Roasted mixed nuts. They stay fresh, fit easily into any bag and curb hunger quickly.

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Apr
12

Celebrating Union Station

by Ashley Cerasaro

Union Station became Union’s first passenger train station since the 1920s when it was completed in 2003. It filled the eight-mile stretch between Newark Penn Station and Roselle Park.

Next Tuesday, April 16th, the township is celebrating the station’s 10th anniversary with a ceremony at its location at 900 Green Lane off Morris Avenue at 5 pm.

Mayor Clifton People Jr., the Township Committee, current elected State Officials and former State Officials from the station’s 2003 ribbon cutting will be present for the event.

Many area businesses, including AVE, will be taking part in the celebration. “The Union Train Station is one of our community’s most valuable assets, as many of our residents commute to Newark, Jersey City and Manhattan for work and Westfield, Summit and Cranford for leisure,” says Lea Anne Welsh, president of AVE. “We are honored to be included in its 10th anniversary celebration and to host a reception in its honor after the ceremony.” AVE will host an open house from 3 pm to 5 pm and then a reception in the Union Café for attendees at 7 pm with refreshments, light fare and raffles.

Area homeowners also benefit from the convenience of the station, which offers direct service to Newark Penn Station and connecting trains to New York, Jersey City and Hoboken. “We’re very excited to help celebrate the anniversary of the Union train station. …I know our homeowners at Station Square really appreciate the convenience of being able to walk to the station and to have such an easy, quick commute to New York City or wherever else they need to go via NJ Transit,” says Randy Brosseau, area president of K. Hovnanian Homes.

Neighboring coffeehouse and bistro Rockn’ Joe will serve fresh brewed coffee, various teas and other beverages, along with sandwiches, salads, soups and desserts to ceremony attendees. To celebrate Union Station’s anniversary, Rockn’ Joe will raffle $10 cash cards and offer 25% off all drinks on the day of the event.

Cintas Corporation will be handing out T-shirts and other promotional items from its table and specialty truck. Team members will be present to talk about the company’s products and services. “Cintas Corporation is proud to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of Union Station,” general manager Mike Palo. “As a local business on Green Lane that employs nearly 200 people from the surrounding areas, we rely on Union Station as key mode of transportation.”

Mayor People Jr. identifies ridership at Union Station as a driving force for Union Township. “The success of Union Station, as an asset for both our residents and businesses, has been even greater than anticipated,” he says. “Ridership at our station has become the second busiest stop with 1,355 passengers a day, with only Westfield having more ridership.”

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Mar
28

Notes from Home

by Ashley Cerasaro

When Lawrence realized his wife C.J. was extremely homesick, he wanted to comfort her and make her feel loved. The happily married couple from California’s Bay Area had been separated for a month, as C.J.’s job required her to be in the Washington metropolitan area for a three-month-long assignment. “It was just emotional for her because she was outside her familiarity and normal surroundings, and she felt she didn’t have anyone around her like her friends and family,” Lawrence says. “She was feeling out-of-place and unfamiliar.”

At home, Lawrence often places notes of encouragement in C.J.’s lunch bag, car or backpack. “They are just little gestures to say, ‘I love you, I care for you, and I hope you have a great day.’ Simple things, and it just means the world to her,” he says. Lawrence contacted the Guest Service Team at AVE Dulles, where C.J. had been staying in one of the fully furnished suites, and asked Resident Representative Nichole Tilas to do him a special favor – to place a handwritten letter from him on her dining room table and notes of encouragement throughout the suite.

When C.J. discovered the notes, Lawrence said she gasped and cried tears of joy at the sentimental act. “It made her feel special and to know that she is the end all and be all for me, and she is,” Lawrence says.

Nichole was moved by Lawrence’s love for C.J. “I thought, what a caring, loving husband to reconfirm with his wife that he loves her and is so proud of her. I felt honored that he asked me to do something like that,” she says. “On a day-to-day basis at AVE, we always try to go above and beyond our guests’ expectations, but to have someone want to do something additional and have them be comfortable with someone they never met before being part of something so personal, I felt very honored.”

Lawrence was beyond grateful for Nichole’s thoughtfulness in carrying out his request. “Money sometimes overtakes the human aspect of business, and I’ve never felt that from AVE,” he says. “I’m a stickler for customer service, and some companies they don’t care – they don’t look at the human aspects. It blew my mind that Nichole cared so much that she was part of it. Nichole showed that clients are her priority and client satisfaction is part of AVE’s ethos.”

Lawrence is eagerly waiting to be reunited with C.J. in mid-April.

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Mar
15

Getting to Know AVE’s Fitness Centers

by Ashley Cerasaro

When road warriors are polled about the stresses of business travel, “interrupted fitness routines” always makes the Top 5.

At AVE, our No. 1 priority is to ensure our guests have a seamless experience from home life to work life and back again. We offer 24-hour state-of-the-art fitness centers at each of our communities, along with health and wellness programs, to enable guests to maintain their fitness and wellness routines.

You will find the following pieces of equipment at an AVE fitness center:

Tuff Stuff Ab Crunch/Back Extension- This machine features a counter-balanced pivot arm with multiple start-position adjustments. It also has an adjustable back/chest roller pad for proper body alignment, and a foot support with a built-in foot roll that accommodates various leg lengths.

Tuff Stuff Pectoral Fly- This machine features an adjustable, rotary independent arm with swivel handles that allow unilateral and bilateral movements. Self-adjusting pivot arms and a floating handle design allow uniform and natural hand positioning.

Tuff Stuff Bicep Curl/Triceps Extension- This multi-grip handle allows overhand and underhand grip positions. It features a counter-balanced pivot arm, an ergonomically designed arm pad for proper support and comfort and an easy access gas-assist seat adjustment.

TuffStuff Lat/Mid-Row- This machine boasts a unique 3-in-1 design that offers independent lat, tricep and low-row stations. It features adjustable high hold-down roller pads that provide stability and firm support during workouts, and a rope handle feature that provides many tricep exercises independently from the lat station.

Tuff Stuff Leg Extension/Curl- This machine features a biomechanically correct seat angle, providing proper support and isolation of muscle group, gas-assist back support that easily adjusts for proper positioning and knee alignment and a quick release to engage and disengage thigh hold-down support.

Tuff Stuff Leg Press/Calf Raise- This machine boasts smooth roller-style seat adjustments. A four-bar linkage design ensures correct ankle and knee alignment during exercise. A convenient adjustment handle allows for simultaneous seat and back-pad adjustment from a seated position.

Tuff Stuff Multi Press- This multi-purpose bench and press bar easily adjusts for flat, incline and shoulder presses. Multiple grip handles on the press arm allow for variation of exercises and muscle isolation. A roller-glide carriage enables easy bench adjustment.

*All Tuff Stuff equipment features a 220-pound steel weight stack with an add-on weight system.

Precor Upright Bike- This self-powered upright bike features custom-designed handlebars with integrated handheld heart rate for maximum comfort and an efficient workout experience. There is easy seat adjustment, redesigned saddle for riding comfort and improved knee-over-pedal spindle geometry for efficient pedaling for a smooth, comfortable workout.

Precor Recumbent Bike- This recumbent bike features a step-through design to appeal to users of all ages. The simple seat adjustment allows the user to change the position of the seat with one hand, either on or off the bike. A ventilated air flex seat provides exceptional comfort.

Precor Treadmills- Precor treadmills offer a low-impact workout. They come standard with Integrated Footplant Technology™ and the Ground Effects® impact control system.

Precor StretchTrainer™- This machine improves your flexibility, coordination and overall athletic performance by stretching daily, either before or after your workout.
It places you in ergonomically correct stretching positions for maximum benefits, in an effective, seated stretching regimen.

*All Precor equipment, except for the StretchTrainer™, features Cardio Theater.

Our communities also offer health and wellness events throughout the year like personal training sessions, nutrition counseling, Pilates sessions in the tranquility garden and Zumba or yoga class by the pool.

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Feb
22

Why AVE Chooses Aveda

by Ashley Cerasaro

At AVE, our goal is to ensure a seamless transition for our guests who are traveling for business, relocating or transitioning. Our sophisticated fully furnished suites are move-in ready with all the comforts of home living plus the amenities and conveniences of a resort hotel.

Each of our suites is equipped with a complimentary starter kit of Aveda bath products. “At AVE, our guests well-being is our No. 1 priority,” says Lea Anne Welsh, president of AVE. “We chose to partner with Aveda because its products are 95 percent derived from nature with the goal to create balance in body, mind and spirit.”

Upon arrival, AVE guests will find the following Aveda products in their suite:

Aveda Rosemary Mint Shampoo- A daily shampoo with a unique formula that invigorates and refreshes all hair types. Aroma naturally energizes and motivates the mind and body. Its key ingredients are rosemary, a natural antioxidant, and peppermint, known to cool and invigorate the scalp to awaken the senses.

Aveda Rosemary Mint Conditioner- A lightweight conditioner with an invigorating aroma that awakens and refreshes all hair types.

Aveda Rosemary Mint Bath Bar- A beautiful, long-lasting, ivory-colored soap decorated with generous chunks of mint-green glycerin that softens and hydrates skin while cleansing. Key ingredients rosemary and peppermint leaf powders provide gentle exfoliation when rubbed directly onto skin. Palm oil extracts create a rich, creamy lather that won’t strip skin of essential moisture-carrying lipids.

Aveda Refreshing Bath Bar- A long-lasting hand or body bar made without animal fats or artificial dyes. A rich lather from pure vegetable oils and moisturizing botanicals provides luxurious cleansing by gently removing impurities and restoring skin’s natural balance. It rinses clean to leave skin feeling fresh and smooth. Flower and plant extracts blend into a light, invigorating aroma, while other botanical ingredients including natural vitamins and minerals revitalize the body and senses.

Aveda Botanical Kinetics Hydrating Lotion- A quick-absorbing lotion that delivers a surge of essential hydration to the skin’s surface without greasiness. It restores and preserves a healthy appearance in all skin types. Its concentrated yet gentle formula helps protect against the environmental factors that cause dryness and irritation, leaving skin feeling smooth and velvety.

Founded in 1978, Aveda creates high performance, botanically based products for beauty professionals and consumers while continuously striving to conduct business in an environmentally sustainable manner.

“The Aveda brand is synonymous with quality. At AVE, we pride ourselves on offering unparalleled amenities and guest services, so it is important that the brands we partner with, like Aveda and Starbucks, offer the highest quality products,” Welsh says.

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Jan
25

Friendlier Skies: Social Seating Service to Allow Fliers to Choose Their Seatmates

by Ashley Cerasaro

Image courtesy of SeatID.

Air warriors are at the mercy of their seatmate, who often make or break their flight experience. But what if you they had an opportunity to sit next to a friend or someone with common interests or business connections? This is the philosophy behind SeatID, a social-seating solution launched in November that allows airline passengers to choose their seatmates based on their social network profiles. AVE recently spoke with Eran Savir, CEO and co-founder of SeatID, to find out more about this new technology.

You say your service allows people to choose a seatmate based on their social networking profiles. How does this work?

Let’s say you’re about to book a flight from Paris to Prague on the given airline’s own website. The way it works is that the airline would already be integrated with SeatID, so the social-seating experience kicks in before your search results are even displayed. At this stage, you’re given the option to log in to a preferred social network, such as your Facebook or LinkedIn account.

So, you log in and grant SeatID access to your social information, which in return allows it to match your interests and any similarities with your fellow passengers. You’ll get the same flight information, arrival and departure time and so on. But what’s new is that you can now also see who’s on which flight – so what we’re talking about is socialized flight search results.

You will be able to see the person’s social information plus where he or she is sitting and what things there might be in common. Once you have decided on a particular flight, the next step is to choose a seat. You click on a selected seat, and SeatID will then show you the information of the person who will be sitting there. If you’re interested, you can browse the entire seat map, and make your seating choice accordingly.

What makes someone a compatible seatmate? What types of information are you matching up?

Compatibility can be assessed from a variety of shared affinities such as an occupation in common, education (finding alumni from your college or university, for example), similar hobbies or even an opera singer or great hotel or restaurant that is mutually liked. Basically any information that passengers have on their social profiles such as Facebook can be harnessed for identifying the optimum seatmate on a given flight.

Which social networks are you drawing this information from?

Primarily Facebook and LinkedIn.

You say this service is ideal for business and networking? Have you heard any success stories?

The service is new, but yes, we have started to hear some success stories; some of which will eventually be chronicled on our blog.

So far, which airlines and travel websites are participating?

Right now, we have AeroSvit on board and few other airlines and travel websites in process.

How does a flyer sign up to use your service?

SeatID is an integrated approach, so instead of having to sign up for the service, users will actually have the option to use SeatID during the flight-search process on a given airline’s own website. And it is an opt-in service that will only display information of those who have chosen to use it.

Any plans for future development?

SeatID’s focus for now is on airlines and travel websites and improving passengers’ flight experiences with social seating. But eventually the technology could expand to places like theaters and sporting events – venues where people are booking seats in advance. When they saw how social seating changes things, putting some magic back into the mundane, it could take off not just from the tarmac but in trains and stadiums, too. So the sky is really not the limit!

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Jan
4

How to Maintain Fitness Resolutions

by Ashley Cerasaro

According to a recent article published in the University of Scranton’s Journal of Clinical Psychology, 45 percent of Americans usually make New Year’s resolutions, but only 8 percent report successfully achieving them. Losing weight was the No. 1 resolution made in 2012, and staying fit and healthy was No. 5. We know keeping health and fitness goals are even harder for business travelers, who often eat on the run and don’t have access to their home gyms. That’s why AVE spoke with fitness coaches Paul Newell and Scott Shearer of Balanced Wellness in Springfield, NJ, to discuss ways to keep your resolutions on the road.

1. Start Small –“Short activity sessions throughout the day are just as, if not more, effective than one long session,” Newell says. Instead of hitting the gym for 45 minutes to an hour, three to four times a week, start out with 20-minute sessions, twice a week. “Starting small will build confidence and establish a habit, so fitness will be a part of your lifestyle, not something you start and stop throughout your life,” he says. Shearer also recommends toting small, convenience snacks. “Pack beef jerky, cheese, nuts, vegetables and fruits to eat on the run to avoid gorging and going overboard at a business dinner and to stay on track with your lean dietary needs,” he says.

2. Find an Ally –“People that have long-term success with fitness and wellness goals have support and someone to help them stay on track,” Newell says. Find a fitness/health coach, co-worker or fellow AVE resident with similar goals to keep you on track. “This will establish camaraderie, accountability and even a little healthy competition,” he says.

3. Breathe – Shallow breathing creates tension throughout the body. When the body is tense, it releases a stress hormone called cortisol, resulting in high blood pressure and increased belly fat. “Breathing is even more important to your fitness program because it will bring nutrients to your muscles and remove toxins,” Newell explains. “Most people hold their breath throughout the day and throughout their workouts, which does their body a disservice.” To practice breathing properly, Newell recommends placing your hands on your belly button in a seated, standing or lying position. As you inhale, press your belly button into your hands as you expand your stomach, and as you exhale, try to bring your belly button to your spine until you feel a mild contraction in you midsection. Repeat this exercise for a couple minutes every day.

4. Make Complex Moves – “A complex is a collection of exercises combined into one movement,” Newell explains. “This shortens fitness workouts, increases cardiovascular benefits and enhances coordination and neuromuscular efficiency.” One of his favorite complex movements to assign his business clients is a “squat and press” that can be executed with a dumbbell or a resistance band, for easy packing. “These types of movements can also be a quick energy boost for those sluggish afternoons and will keep your brain active so you can handle whatever your role demands,” he adds.

5. Schedule It – For most of us, if it isn’t in our schedule, it doesn’t exist. “Schedule time for your activity so it becomes a part of your life, rather some dreadful task you have to do at the end of the day,” Newell says. For beginners, he recommends scheduling 10- to 20-minute walks a couple days a week outside or around your office building, or climbing the stairs in your office building. “Scheduling and blocking out time helps you reach the outcome rather than putting it off until you have time for it,” Shearer says.

Balanced Wellness provides fitness coaching services to AVE Union residents to help them take advantage AVE’s 24-hour fitness center and to create plans to incorporate fitness and wellness into their lifestyle. Their services include personal training, wellness planning and supervising the fitness center several hours a week to answer questions, provide instructions when needed and motivate residents.

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Dec
21

Shorten Your Stay in the Airport Security Line

by Ashley Cerasaro

High fares, long airport security lines and frequent delays are the three burdens of flying. While we can’t control cost or weather conditions, we can get you in check with airport security. AVE recently spoke with the Transportation Security Administration’s Office of Public Affairs to find out how you can shorten your stay in the airport security line.

#1- Think 3-1-1
TSA and its security partners conducted extensive explosives testing, which revealed that liquids, aerosols and gels, in limited quantities, are safe to bring aboard an aircraft. This translates to each passenger being limited to one clear, plastic, quart-sized, zip-top bag. An easy way to remember the restrictions is to think 3-1-1: 3.4-ounce bottles (100 ml) or less (by volume) placed in one clear, plastic, quart-sized, zip-top bag, and one bag per passenger placed in screening bin. “Consolidating the bottles into one bag and x-raying them separately from the carry-on bag enables security officers to quickly clear the items,” says Lisa Farbstein of TSA public affairs. Make sure you declare larger liquid items like medications, baby formula, food and breast milk for inspection at checkpoint, as officers may need to open these items to conduct additional screening.

#2- Download MyTSA
Are tools allowed in a carry-on or must they be checked? Can you fly with firearms? TSA has an app for that (and it’s free!). MyTSA allows you to type in any item, identifying whether it is an admissible or prohibited one. It also recognizes items that may be carried on and those that must be checked. “MyTSA provides passengers with 24/7 access to the most commonly requested TSA information,” Farbstein says. “Not only does it tell you if something can be brought through security checkpoint, it lists delays at all United States airports, offers answers to commonly asked packing questions and shows other passengers’ checkpoint wait times.”

#3- Be One Step Ahead
Know beforehand whether you must remove your shoes at airport security. Although some passengers may be randomly selected for a shoe-check (in which case your shoes will need to go onto the conveyor belt), travelers 75 years of age and older, passengers 12 years of age and younger and those who are members of TSA Pre✓™ may keep their shoes on.

#4: Have it in the Bag
It’s easy to forget items in the divestiture bins. But if you place all your belongings (wallet, keys, cell phone, change, etc.) in a plastic grocery bag and place it directly in the bin, you’ll be less likely to leave something behind. After you complete the screening process, simply pick up your bag and go. “It also makes it less likely that another passenger will accidently pick up one of your items,” Farbstein says. “A lot of cell phones look similar.”

#5: Consult TSA’s website
If you have a question, the first place to check is TSA’s website. It is full of information like acceptable identification at checkpoint to prohibited items to traveling with disabilities, medical conditions and children. For more information, visit www.tsa.gov.

 

 

 

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Nov
30

Best Business Travel Apps

by Ashley Cerasaro

It’s hard to imagine what life was like before “we have an app for that,” but it’s even tougher to determine which apps are actually time-savers and which are just data drains. AVE recently reached out to real road warriors and asked them which apps they rely on while they’re on the run.

1. Gate Guru- There is nothing worse than being stranded at an unfamiliar airport. Instead of walking around aimlessly to find a magazine, download GateGuru to quickly locate the closest newsstand. GateGuru transforms the chaotic airport environment into a more organized and satisfying experience before and after flights and during layovers. Users can search an entire airport or specified terminal for food, shops, services, all with real-time tips, reviews and photos. “Before GateGuru, you were essentially at the mercy of whatever was around you, which often led to unhealthy eating,” says Dan Nainan, a comedian who travels more than 200,000 miles a year. “Now with GateGuru, I know precisely where I can find sushi or some other healthy alternative to burgers and fries.” Enter your airline and flight number into the flight tracker feature and receive basic flight and arrival status information. “It’s fantastic because I don’t have to go searching for the screens in the airport,” Nainan says.
Available on iPhone and Android.

2. TripIt- Even experienced business travelers admit feeling overwhelmed by travel, juggling their airline tickets, accommodation and rental car information, directions, itineraries and expense receipts. TripIt frees up your hands by organizing all these trip details into one online itinerary – even if arrangements are booked at multiple travel sites. Tero Rinne, a sales director who travels 200 days a year, says he downloaded TripIt because he doesn’t have time to manually enter all his travel information into one itinerary. “I just forward my reservations and confirmations via email and Tripit automatically creates my itineraries,” he says. The app also gives users the option to book restaurants, theatre tickets, activities and more from within the online itinerary. Most air warriors say the upgrade, TripIt Pro, is worth the $49 annual fee. There is also an ad-free version of TripIt for a one-time $3.99 download fee. “It will give you alternative flights for the day, tell you about delays, how much time you have on a layover and even how many seats are available on another flight if you are looking,” explains frequent flyer Shep Hyken.
Available on iPhone, Android, Windows Phone, BlackBerry, iPad and Tablet.

3. Yelp- Wouldn’t it be great to have a friend in every city you travel to on business, someone to recommend a sushi spot to entertain your client or a spa to get a quick manicure before your big presentation? When you download Yelp, you’ll have friends everywhere you go, as the guide boasts 33 million local reviews as of this year. When Helen Todd was driving to the airport in San Francisco from Carmel Valley, she used Yelp to find a place to stop for lunch along the way. “A five-star Mexican joint appeared that was a couple exits up,” says the co-founder and CEO of Sociality Squared. “Despite being hungry, we drove the extra miles. It was off the beaten path, a hole in the wall, but a complete, authentic gem we would have never known about otherwise.” Yelp also partners with online restaurant reservation system OpenTable, enabling users to make reservations without having to make a phone call or open another app. Katherine Doe, who travels frequently between her company’s offices, once used OpenTable to make a reservation at a busy Philadelphia restaurant that her boss was dying to eat at. “There was a line out the door,” she says. “Because I was able to use it to make a reservation only minutes before we walked through the door, we were seated right away, and ahead of probably 30 people waiting. I looked like a hero.”
Available on iPhone, Android and iPad.

4. Google Maps- The less baggage the better is a mantra championed by all frequent business travelers. Next time you take flight, download Google Maps and leave that bulky GPS unit in your car. The mapping technology app offers business locations, contact information and driving directions worldwide. Road warriors say its most useful feature is the route planner. “Google Maps is an indispensable app for the road,” says Robert Nelson, who takes to the skies about 35 times a year for business. “I can map my route to the hotel when landing late at night, and I can figure out how to get to the client site in the morning.” Under “Get Directions,” users can choose from up to four modes of transportation: driving, public transit, walking and bicycling. Enter an address and Google Maps will plot the location and directions. Plan a trip by adding multiple destinations to your route, then click and drag the route to customize it.
Google Maps is available on Android.

MapQuest- iPhone users, as the app is currently not available for download, use MapQuest’s app for navigation. “The free MapQuest app is the best GPS bar none,” says Nainan. “It calls out street names, and you can push buttons to see where gas stations, hotels and restaurants are located.”
MapQuest is available on iPhone, Android, iPod touch and iPad.

5. JotNot- All road warriors agree that tracking expenses is the bane of business travel. “I was horrible at filing my expense reports until I made a conscious choice to set up an automated habit,” Rinne says. That habit was connecting his Dropbox to scanner app JotNot Pro. Both the free and paid versions include a camera stabilization feature, snapping a photo when the phone is still. Once the document is photographed, it is placed into a frame with grid lines so you can orient it properly. You can also pinch and zoom the page to get a closer look at text, and if you are scanning batches of pages, JotNot lets you build a multipage document. It can even password protect PDFs with sensitive information. The Pro version, void of annoying ads, is worth the $1 download fee. It also provides more screen room and the ability to export images via email to archive sites like Evernote and DropBox. “The file goes to my Dropbox folder, which is set up to automatically rename the file with the date it is added, so at the end of the month, you have all your receipts time-stamped and ready,” he says.
Available on iPhone and iPad.

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Nov
16

Five Great Day Trips From White Plains

by Ashley Cerasaro

Entertainment is not in short supply for the AVE White Plains resident, who will find fine dining, shopping, cinema and live entertainment a mere footsteps from his or her front door. AVE White Plains is also a short train ride or drive from popular Tri-State attractions – perfect for a day trip to forget about work for a while.

Trek the Shawangunk Hudson Valley Wine Trail
The 12 wineries along the Shawangunk Hudson Valley Wine Trail follow the tradition of fine wine-making established by the early French Hugenot settlers who brought their expertise to the valley more than 300 years ago. Ranging from small to medium in size, the wineries’ red and white wines span from bone dry to dessert sweet. Visitors will find sparkling wines, vinifera and French-American varietals and blends. Throughout the year, the trail, which is easily accessible by the New York State Thruway, hosts special events such as Lobster Fests, jazz concerts and strawberry festivals. Their next event, Wreath Fineries at the Wineries, will kick off the weekend of November 17th, where guests can travel the trail, sample award-winning wines, pick up holiday recipes and do a little gift shopping at the wineries, which are all decked out for the holiday season. Each visitor will receive a grapevine wreath, limited edition Shawangunk Wine Trail ornament and souvenir wine glass at his or her starting winery. At each subsequent winery, they will receive a unique holiday ornament to place on their wreath. Wreath Fineries at the Wineries will also be held on the weekends of December 1st and 8th.

All Wreath Fineries at the Wineries guests will receive a limited edition ornament from each winery on the Shawangunk Hudson Valley Wine Trail.

Get in Touch with Nature at Bear Mountain State Park
Bear Mountain State Park, a 44-minute drive from AVE White Plains, is nestled in the mountains on the west side of the Hudson River. The 5,067-acre state park features a large play field, shaded picnic groves, lake and river access, a swimming pool, trails and an outdoor ice skating rink, perfect for hiking, biking, boating, sledding, ice skating and more. It also offers several facilities like the Perkins Memorial Tower, the Trailside Museums & Zoo and the Bear Mountain Inn, all managed by the Palisades Interstate Park Commission. The Perkins Memorial Tower, which sits 1,305 feet above the Hudson River atop Bear Mountain, boasts spectacular views of the park, the Hudson Highlands and Harriman State Park. Perkins Memorial Drive and the tower are open from April through late November, weather permitting. The Trailside Museums & Zoo, which started as a bear den in 1926, is now home to many local injured or rehabilitated animals, including bald eagles, deer and otters, while the Reptile and Amphibian House houses different species of fish, turtles, snakes and frogs. The park’s highlight is its hand-painted Merry-Go-Round, which features scenes of the park and 42 hand-carved native animals, including black bears, wild turkeys, deer, raccoons, bobcats and rabbits.

The carousel at Bear Mountain State Park features hand-painted scenes of the park and 42 hand-carved seats of native animals including black bears, wild turkeys, deer, raccoons, skunks and more.

Trace Your Roots at the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
The Statue of Liberty and the Ellis Island Immigration Museum are arguably the two most popular New York tourist destinations. While they are located on two separate islands in the New York Harbor, these national treasures are serviced by the same ferry, Statue Cruises, so visiting both in one day is doable and takes about six hours. Statue Cruises leaves Battery Park, easily accessible via public transit, every 20 to 40 minutes. After a 10-minute cruise, the ferry will stop at Liberty Island. On October 28, 2012, Lady Liberty’s crown reopened to the public, so climb up for amazing views of the city and to learn the history of both Islands from either an audio tour or a park ranger. Another 10-minute ride will take you to Ellis Island, where you can take a free ranger-led tour of the island before exploring the museum. The Ellis Island Immigration Museum, located in the former immigration station complex where 12 million immigrants entered America, offers a 45-minute audio tour, available in nine languages, where you’ll relive the experience of coming to America for the first time. Trace your family’s roots at the American Family Immigration History Center, where visitors can use advanced computer and multimedia technology, printed materials and professional assistance to investigate immigration history, family documentation and genealogical exploration. Enjoy the museum at your own pace – a ferry bound for Battery Park leaves Ellis Island every 20 minutes.

The Statue of Liberty was a gift of friendship from France to the United States and is a universal symbol of freedom and democracy. Image courtesy of Statue Cruises.

Take a Breather in Mystic
Known as a breath of fresh air between New York and Boston, Mystic, Connecticut, is a charming riverside village with a rich nautical history. Guests can explore our nation’s maritime past firsthand at Mystic Seaport’s Museum of America and the Sea by climbing aboard historic tall ships, strolling through a re-created 19th century coastal village or watching a working preservation shipyard in action. Climb aboard Necessity, the museum’s own water shuttle that takes you from one end of Mystic Seaport to the other for free on weekends. For a longer voyage, hop aboard Sabino, one of the oldest wooden, coal-fired steamboats still in operation, for a half hour or 90-minute cruise along the scenic Mystic River. The Maritime Gallery at Mystic Seaport, the nation’s foremost gallery specializing in contemporary marine art and ship models, is a must-see for art enthusiasts and collectors. Mystic Aquarium, home to the only beluga whales in New England, offers unforgettable animal encounters, fun interactive experiences and dynamic learning opportunities for people of all ages. Sea lion shows, beluga whale encounters and live theatre are only some of the exciting attractions that make this a must-see.

Mystic Aquarium visitors participate in the Beluga Contact Program. Image courtesy of Mystic Country, Connecticut.

Revel in Central Park
A short train ride from AVE White Plains, (the local Metro North train travels direct to Grand Central Station), Central Park in Manhattan is the most visited urban park in the United States, receiving approximately 35 million visitors annually. From birding at The Ramble to rock climbing at Rat Rock, this 843-acre public park has something for every visitor. The Central Park Conservancy offers free walking tours year-round to help new visitors get better acquainted with the park’s history, ecology and design. About 230 different species of birds can be viewed in Central Park throughout the year. The Ramble (mid-park from 74th to 79th streets), is the best place to find warblers and other songbirds in early May. In the fall, visit Belvedere Castle (mid-park at 79th Street) to spot migrating hawks from the upper terraces. Built in 1952, the Chess & Checkers House (mid-park at 64th Street), welcomes domino, backgammon, chess and checkers gamers to play a round with New York City’s backyard as a backdrop. Bring your own equipment or borrow pieces from conservancy staff. They can even arrange a partner for you to play with. Experience the park like a true New Yorker by planting your picnic basket and blanket at these popular spots – the Conservancy Garden (5th Avenue and 105th Street), Strawberry Fields (Central Park West between 71st and 74th Streets) and Sheep Meadow (mid-park from 79th to 85th streets) – to take in the sights, sounds and people of New York City. A visit to Central Park wouldn’t be complete without taking a whirl around the Central Park Carousel (mid-park at 65th Street/6th Avenue). A park staple since 1950, it is completely hand-painted and features the largest hand-carved figures ever made.

An aerial view of Central Park, the most visited urban park in the United States. Image courtesy of Central Park Conservancy.

 

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