Today, further leaving the Creation Museum in the dust, the American Museum of Natural History released the AMNH Explorer app. Designed as a portable dummy docent, the application allows users to navigate their way around the 140 specimens in 45 exhibit halls and through the various theaters, shops and, most importantly, restrooms. Using either an iPhone, iPad or iPod visitors to the museum can download and browse through virtual museum exhibits and plan out personal tours or, for days when you decide to drink before your visit, follow pre-set tour paths set to specific lengths and themes.

The AMNH underwent considerable effort to incorporate a vast free wireless network (take note all you wi-fi sharks) to essentially create an “indoor GPS” system that allows the user to locate their step-by-step position within the Museum and search for specific exhibits, such as the blue whale or the Dinosaur Mummy, with precise directions guiding them to their destination. At the time I was using one of the 350 dedicated free loaner devices to navigate the museum, which I would recommend as the wi-fi connection had trouble finding my location within the museum using my own iPhone. To aid any of the technologically recalcitrant, there are 25 summer volunteers, clad in blue, ready and able to assist with managing the explorer app.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

The tours are set out to follow the highlights of each exhibit or the museum itself and provide brief information about the science behind the exhibits and, when visited, the exhibit page on the app marks it as visited providing a bonus piece of information about the exhibit or specimen. Though the AMNH is not wanting for visitors, hopes are that the app will be a draw and add another dimension to the tour.  “This system will enhance the visitors’ appreciation for the Museum’s world-renowned collections by combining the traditional audio guide interpretive tour with navigational GPS functionality to provide a new generation of visitors with an unparalleled self-guided Museum experience,” said Erana Stennett of Bloomberg.

For those of you just busting to announce your love of the American Museum of Natural History, the Explorer app allows for posting specific exhibit viewings to your Facebook or Twitter. Or, if you’re in a position to sleuth, try the treasure hunt function and track down exhibits by detecting clues.

At final look, the Explorer app is a fun accessory to the main museum experience, but it is by no means the point in and of itself. The experience is between you and the sense of history and the wonder it should impart in you when you finally realize the distance between you and the long chain of biology that led to who you are now. But by all means, come and investigate Explorer – just remember to explore history as well.

College students aren’t the only ones these days looking for places to intern.  Recent graduates and even unemployed professionals are turning to internships to get regain some traction in the job market. 

While getting into a much sought-after internship program is a great way to learn more about a given industry, some intern positions don’t necessarily give a good preview of what life would be like down that career path.  But luckily not every internship is about getting coffee and filing, and some offer great programs and networking events as they rely heavily on their programs when they’re looking for new hires. If you want to start off your career at the right place, check out these top NYC internships:

Fashion

Nordstrom’s internships are open to college undergraduates who are studying fashion merchandising or retail management. A great hands-on experience, this internship is highly recommended by NYC area fashion professors thanks to its structured program that gives students a chance to work in every department.

Media

There’s no doubt that NBC has a huge presence in NYC, so their internship program is clearly one of the top in the city. Interns will work closely with producers and talent while human resources offer networking Q&A sessions with some of the top executives in the company. Plus, an internship here will be a great stepping stone into the famous NBC Page program, made famous on ’30 Rock.’

Sports

The New York Islanders have been popping up all over the media for their internship program, called Islanders University. Interns rotate between all of the departments during the intensive program, making connections and learning how the team is kept running. It doesn’t hurt that the team also just announced they have an official NY Islanders cupcake.

Accounting

Any accounting major will tell you that Ernst & Young is the internship to die for. The program offers real career training since the company is known for pulling new hires straight out of the internship program. The company even offers an International Intern Leadership Conference.

Science

NYC is home to some of the best hospitals in the world, so take advantage of some of the programs you’ll find at top hospitals. Psychiatry students should check out NY Presbyterian, while medical students flock to programs found in hospitals like Sloan-Kettering.

One of the best parts about getting married (besides finally not feeling guilty for having unprotected sex with your partner; just don’t tell your mother that) is the swag that friends and family are traditionally obligated to gift you.

As well they should, right? After all, you’re paying $100 per plate and the least they could do is spring for that Ultimate Margarita Maker you’ve had your eye on.

But when you have limited living space, tangible items aren’t necessarily in your best interest. My fiancé and I live in a two-bedroom condo in Manhattan, and while there’s enough room, the reality is there’s not much room.

Now that we’re engaged, I’ve thought long and hard about how to approach the subject of wedding gifts with our guests. While I’d prefer to avoid the subject all together (because no matter how you deliver it, talking about what people should buy you always comes off a bit douchey), it’s essential to educate them on what kind of presents are appropriate for our situation. Our kitchen is stocked, our closets are stuffed, and our entertainment systems are state-of-the-art. Whatever we don’t have, we don’t need – or, more accurately, don’t have anywhere to put.

In an earnest attempt to avoid having triple toasters and a whole cart full of returns to our local Target, I’ve identified several ways our guests can still offer their capitalist congrats without forcing us to fight customer service over a missing receipt. Maybe you’ll share these tips, maybe you won’t. But if you choose option two and receive your sixth set of martini glasses or a lawnmower when you have no yard, you can’t say I didn’t warn you.

Give the associate at Target my warmest regards.

Everybody Loves Cold Hard Cash

Some people don’t like giving cash because they think it lacks creativity and thoughtfulness, but I have a hunch that newlyweds will argue otherwise. When you’re young and just starting out, the best gift you can give is a few crisp greenbacks – especially if the happy couple is taking a honeymoon. You’ll help pad their pockets so they can have the vacation of a lifetime, and they’ll appreciate that extra spending money far more than whatever you bring in a box. Consider, too, that in today’s Internet-everything world, the need to place brand new bills inside a Hallmark is virtually eliminated. Companies likes Deposit a Gift and GoGift allow the couple to set up an account wherein you can directly deposit whatever denomination you choose, which ultimately provides them with another element of convenience – they can skip a trip to the bank en route to the airport. The lighter load will make for a safer journey.

Now You See It, Now You Don’t

Gift cards are always a reliable bet, but they inevitably lead to the recipient buying things they don’t need (or have the space for). When deciding whether or not to travel this road, try to think out of the box. Most places sell gift cards nowadays, and the best ones are for consumable items. By that, I mean meals and activities. I’ve never met a restaurant gift card I didn’t like, but what I prefer more is a gift for an activity my fiancé and I can enjoy together. Movies, massages, bowling, ice skating, paint ball, a weekend at a bed and breakfast – these are all perfect for newlyweds. Best of all, the card’s value is consumed in one outing and the plastic is generally recyclable. Celebrate a marriage and reduce your carbon footprint? Match made in heaven.

Find Your Inner Martha Stewart

One of the most memorable gifts I’ve ever received was a collage of photos featuring my friends and me. That gift meant a lot, so much so that I still have it 10 years later. You can’t say that about most store-bought items; they just don’t have the sentimental value. For a wedding gift, create a scrapbook of the couple’s life together or make a piece of art they can hang in their home. If you’re not creatively inclined, sites like Shutterfly and Snapfish can help you out. Admittedly, these are tangible items and I know I made a big stink about “things,” but they’re not super space takers. They live on a bookshelf or the wall – places where most people are more than willing to make room for something so special.

Donate in the Name of Love

Believe it or not, there are couples out there that will issue a caveat banning all gifts from their nuptials. They’re few and far between, but if you happen to know this rare pair, cherish them. Even though they’re letting you off the hook, however, doesn’t mean you should be cheap. Choose a charity with which they’re involved or have a vested interest (most people do these days) and make a donation on their behalf. Not only will you help out an organization in need, you’ll look like a superstar to your newly married friends when everyone else dines and dashes.

Pending a majority rules vote in the Senate and a vote in the House of Representatives, it looks promising that New Yorkers who are unemployed will be able to take advantage of unemployment extensions, once a bill is signed into effect.  After months of stalemate in Congress, the Senate defeated a Republican filibuster today (60-40), effectively pushing forward the unemployment benefits extension bill.

New Yorkers who want to keep abreast on the pending legislation can watch Senate’s voting session via C-SPAN’s live coverage.  The NYS Unemployment Office should also be updating their website in the next few days with information for claimaints, so keep an eye on their website for further instructions if legislation is passed to extend unemployment benefits for unemployed New Yorkers.

Yeah, we know.  There have been a huge influx of food and activity group coupon sites cropping up online as of late.  But that doesn’t mean that we’re annoyed with them.  Quite the opposite, actually.  The more coupon sites that come along, the more money we save.    So when we got an email about a newbie on the block, we thought we’d pass along the info.

InBundles is not dissimilar to Groupon, Yipit, Living Social or 8 Coupons – all those other NYC and beyond websites that utilize group buying coupon deals, except that they zero in on a niche:  food.  One part restaurant review and one part coupon site, the premise of InBundles is simple:  Offer big discounts on high priced, notable eateries in the New York City area.

Today’s deal, for instance, is for Grand Sichuan – John Zhang’s highly rated Sichuan Chinese restaurant.

There’s a reason Grand Sichuan hasn’t followed the same path as bulletproof glass protected Chinese restaurants — Zhang’s on a mission to change the way Americans eat Chinese food, especially delicacies from Sichuan. His website is chock-full of information about Chinese food and culture. At the restaurant, you’ll be presented with a 27-page pamphlet, written by Zhang himself, that describes Chinese regional cuisines and their most famous dishes. His method works. He’s opened Grand Sichuans all over the city, and diners at every location consistently call his dishes the best.

Zhang heightens the pleasant, unpretentious atmosphere with white tablecloths, linen napkins, attentive servers, and plenty of A/C. There’s also an expansive outdoor area (when was the last time you ate Chinese outside?) where you’re free to sit back and sip cold beer and wine. The portions are big, the Sichuan sauces pant-worthy, so if you’re a pepper and spice person, seek the heat, and marinade, at Grand Sichuan.

To celebrate their NYC launch, InBundles is giving one lucky reader a $60 gift certificate for dinner at the posh Stella restaurant in Tribeca.  For a chance to win, sign up for InBundles email updates (No spam, we swear) and friend up on Facebook Fan page (so you can hear about other awesome deals and giveaways!).

Leave us a note on here with your Facebook username to let us know you entered!  Deadline for entering is Friday, July 23rd at 11:59PM.

Photo credit: aernst

In the mood for a low-key evening of top notch music and singing?  The 92Y Tribeca is featuring The Moodswing Orchestra, featuring TK Wonder/ Love Trio and acclaimed Brazilian crooner, Thalma De Freitas.

This Friday, July 16th, at 8pm The Moodswing Orchestra will take the stage at the 92Y’s outpost in Tribeca to rock out with a cool blend of “jazz, experimental music and cutting edge pop and rock”.

Moodswing Orchestra is the brainchild of Ben Perowsky… Featuring some of NYC’s finest players and a rotating cast of guest vocalists, including MC TK Wonder, Moodswing carves a bipolar path between hypnotic grooves and body-shaking trances. With them is Love Trio, led by Nublu founder Ilhan Ershin and playing a sly seductive mix of electro jazz and programmed beats. Tonight they feature special guest vocalist, Brazilian phenom Thalma de Freitas.

DEETS:
Friday, Jul 16
8 pm
$10

Photo by Lauren A. Fairbanks

Next Friday, July 23rd, Coney Island Park willk play host to the Cyclone T-Shirt Contest fashion show.  Twelve finalists will have their designs modeled by some of – who else – Coney Island’s favorite burlesque and drag performers while audience members get down to the beats of DJ Joe Gonzales and Miss Saturn.

Voters can check out the Coney Island Cyclone t-shirt designs and vote on their favorites at the Cyclone’s website.

The winning design will be turned into a t-shirt on sale in the Coney Island Cyclone Roller Coaster Store, a $500 cash prize and season pass to Luna Park for the 2010/2011 season.

DEETS:

July 23
6pm-8pm
Fireworks @ 9pm
In front of the Coney Island Cyclone

Photo by beto_camin

Dating Mistake Numero Uno: Spending the better part of a paycheck when you’re not even sure he or she is gonna put out.

Seriously. If you just dropped a few hundred dollars to impress someone and they don’t so much as feel you up through your clothes, it was a waste. And you’ll hate yourself for it. Not only did you come off looking like a prick flashing all that cash, but now you have to head home, tail between your legs, to engage in the most expensive solo session known to man.

Well, at least until the next dipwad comes along and does the same thing.

It’ll happen, too. Because, for some reason, we think that dates are only fun when significant dough is involved. But I’ll let you in on a little secret: Whoever came up with that idea is a schmuck – and probably still a virgin.

A great date isn’t about the amount of money you spend but rather the thought you put into creating a day or night filled with fun. Its purpose is to get to know someone, and if the first impression you make is that you’re the kind of chap who thinks with his wallet (among other nefarious things), you have a better chance of finding a suitable mate by clubbing them over the head and dragging them back to your cave. Or, in this day and age, attending a Bravo casting call.

Exciting, inexpensive dates can happen anywhere, anytime. To prove it, here are eight high-octane adventures in cities that span America.

The homework is done; all you’ve got to do is seal the deal.

Samurai Sword Class and Sushi in New York City

Wax on. Wax off. And learn some kick-ass street-fighting skills while you’re at it. Free for first-timers, the Samurai Sword Class at The Workman’s Circle at NYR Studios provides yuppies of all ages with the necessary, albeit introductory, training required to battle evildoers in 12th-century Japan. Don’t have a time machine? Then head over to Café Zaiya’s Midtown location to enjoy a smorgasbord of sushi dishes that range from $3 to $10.

TV Show Taping and Famous French Dips in Los Angeles

L.A. has major entertainment value – and if you’re not taking advantage of it, why the hell are you living there? (Don’t say the weather, either; everybody knows you’re a waiter-slash-actor). Tapings may seem cliché, but you can’t get any closer to your favorite stars without being told via law-enforcing bullhorn to exit the bushes. Late-night shows are a sure bet since you’ll not only witness Hollywood’s “finest” become gluttons for mandatory applause, but you two can jam and laugh to musical and comedy performances. Once you’ve had your fill of feeding legendary egos, nourish yourself with local landmark Philippe’s “French Dipped” sandwiches and offbeat sides. For added aphrodisiac delight, share a slice of chocolate mousse pie for dessert.

Screen on the Green and a Picnic in Washington, D.C.

There’s nothing more romantic than watching a movie under the afterglow of congressional indiscretions. Each summer, Screen on the Green plays classic films on the National Mall with this year’s selection including “Goldfinger,” “The Goodbye Girl,” “12 Angry Men” and “Bonnie and Clyde” (Mondays from July 12 to Aug. 2). Arrive early – screenings begin at dusk, but crowds start flocking as early as 5 p.m. – spread out a sheet (blankets are way too heavy for this time of year), uncork a bottle of cheap wine, and nosh on low-maintenance goodies like fresh fruit, bread and a selection of artisanal cheeses. If you really want to earn points, break out your secret weapon: bug spray. Your thoughtfulness will be rewarded.

Improv Comedy and Chicken Caesar Salad in Chicago

They say the best way to a woman’s heart is through her Potbelly. Sike! Nobody says that – and you shouldn’t repeat it in the company of your lady friend. Still, David Montgomery, a resident of Chi Town, recommends “splitting a huge chicken Caesar salad” ($6-$7) at the aforementioned chain then strutting right across the street to enjoy hours of improvisational funny business at The ComedySportz Theatre. Totally free shows kick off at 7 p.m. with REC League, followed by Kayfabe at 8 p.m., Battle-Prov at 9 p.m. and Improv Open Mike at 10 p.m. Old Style beers are just $3 a pop, so buy her a few. Mostly so she’ll forget that you forced a salad on her. Jerk.

Bats, BBQ and Bacon Donuts in Austin

This is an oldie but goodie – and if you ask a true Austinite, it never loses its appeal. Every night from the start of spring to early fall, nearly 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats ascend from the depths of the Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge, creating a Hitchcockian scene of chaotic, chiropteran wonder. If you make it away unscathed (don’t worry, they won’t hurt you), mosey on down to Franklin’s Barbecue – served fresh from the side of a camping trailer – for plates of finger-licking beef, pulled pork and sausage (sorry, no chicken here) that include two sides and bread for around $8 each. Just as your heart starts to flutter with love, stop it dead with dessert from Gordough’s Big Fat Donuts, where, for around $4, you can sample the “Flying Pig” – a bacon-laded confection with maple syrup icing – among other calorie-pumped pastries. If your date doesn’t scoff in disdain when you mention that last bit, she’s a keeper. No matter what she looks like.

Lawn Bowling Lessons and Vietnamese Sandwiches in Seattle

If you’ve ever played bocce, you already possess the requisite aptitude for lawn bowling, a similar sport in which opponents vie to place their team’s “bowls” closest to the “jack,” a small white ball tossed out to start each game. Except, it’s not as easy as you remember; in this game, the bowls are weighted to one side and have a natural-leaning bias, hence why always-free lessons for newbies at the Jefferson Park Lawn Bowling Club are a great way for couples to get competitive – and closer. Afterward, say chào to Saigon Deli, a Vietnamese sandwich shop that specializes in pork bánh mì, spring rolls, dumplings, crisp veggies and offensively low prices. One Yelp reviewer suggests paying in cash over credit since there’s a $.50 fee for plastic transactions under $15 and “it’s really hard to rack up more than” that, she says.

Stump! Trivia and 25-cent Wings in Boston

There’s a plethora of places throughout the Commonwealth where you can proudly boast your knowledge of everything inane and useless during Stump! Trivia (free to play), but perhaps the best bar to enlighten your date as to why Megatron covets the AllSpark is The Mission. The contest begins promptly at 8:30 p.m. every Sunday (yeah, it’s a school night, so suck it up) and lasts for about 2 hours. While you’re there, snack on quarter-per wings washed down with $3 Narragansett tallboys. A word of advice: Brush up on current events beforehand. You’ll only end up embarrassing yourself when you can’t remember how many states are in the Union. Hint: It’s not 51; D.C. doesn’t count.

Surf, Sand and Steaks at Biscayne Bay in Miami

Despite what the E! network will have you believe, Miami is not best known for the Kardashians. Rather, its fame is drawn from miles of soft, sandy expanses perfect for recreational activities. Bike, kayak and canoe rentals are available at Oleta River State Park, but to save money strap your own to the car ($6 entrance fee per double-occupancy vehicle) and prepare yourselves for an afternoon adventure amid mangrove forest preserves and saltwater fishermen. When the hunger pangs start to creep up, claim a grill and throw some well-seasoned steaks and shrimp atop the open flame. Pair the meal with a complementary red, followed by a cuddle on the beach as the sun sets over south Florida. No need for plates or cutlery; by the time dinner is served, she’ll be eating out of the palm of your hand.

Want to boost your skills, increase your marketability and learn something new, but think taking a course is not in your budget?  Beefing up your knowledge doesn’t have to break the bank.  There are always alternatives to classes bearing hefty price tags.

For many jobs out there, it certainly doesn’t hurt to know as many software programs as you can.  If you want to learn a new program but don’t want to fork over $100 for a quick course at a college, check out the library for free computer classes.  The New York Public Library offers free instruction in programs like PowerPoint, MS Publisher and more.  All you’ll need is some free time and a library card.

Continuing Education courses at local colleges or universities offer a wide selection of topics for study, but some of them can be quite pricey.  Hop on the internet and search any museums or organizations specializing in the field of your interest.  You’ll most likely find a quick seminar or full course for free or at a low cost. For example, let’s say you’re interested in comic book writing or editing.  Here in NYC, a local university offers a 10 session comic book writing course that will run you a little under $600.  But, at the Museum of Comics and Cartoon Art they offer a 3 part comic writing seminar with notable comic writers and editors for $100.  You can get your feet wet in the art of writing comics and save a cool $500 and change.  Sure a 3 part writing series is not as in depth as a 10 session course, however, more in depth courses can be found for better bargains for those interested.  And the connections you’ll make with the comic book artists at MOCCA could turn out to be far more valuable than the ones at a university.

Why not increase your  basic knowledge of another language for employment prospects?  The prices for most foreign language courses are steep.  But this is NYC right?  You can find someone who speaks any language you want to learn.  To make the search for a language exchange a little easier try a social site like Meetup.com.  You’ll be able to find and join groups where you can meet and mingle (usually at a bar or restaurant) with folks whose mother tongue is the language of your interest.  Some of the groups on Meetup offer a more formal class setting for a small fee.  We found a weekly Japanese class only charging $10 for a 1 hour session.  That’s $40 for a month’s worth of Japanese lessons!

Never be at a loss for a deal.  With some online research, you can increase your skills and up your marketability without going broke.  And the added pluses on your resume may be what gets you noticed.