Concerts
Rachel Trachtenburg's Homemade World & The Beach Puppeteers on The Beach
Governers Island
3PM

See above for Rachel Trachtenburg's Homemade World, which here takes part in this family tribute to the wonderful Maurice Sendak.

Theatre
Twelfth Night at the Delacorte Theatre
Central Park (at 81st St)
Upper West Side/Manhattan
8PM

ALFRESCO Tickets are free (two per person) and may be picked up only on the day of performance after 1pm at the Delacorte Theater. A limited number of tickets are also distributed via online lottery at publictheater.org; see site for details. There's not a weak link in jolly all-star cast of this buoyant, blissful Shakespearean delight. director Daniel Sullivan's approach is to go easy on the outdated wordplay and the slapstick zaniness, and this Twelfth Night (in 18th-century costumes) plays out with admirable clarity. Anne Hathaway, Audra McDonald, Raúl Esparza, Hamish Linklater, David Pittu, Jay O. Sanders, Michael Cumpsty, Julie White and Stark Sands conjure a rich sense of wry wonder and romance. They roll giddily through this classic comedy, and we happily follow.

Tours
Beyond the Beatniks: The Hidden History of St. Marks Place
St. Marks Place/Manhattan
RSVP to rspv@gvshp.org
(212) 475-9585x35
1PM

The gutter punks and tourists that populate St. Mark's Place these days belie the street's storied past: Some of its famous (and infamous) residents have included Lenny Bruce, Leon Trotsky and Jean-Michel Basquiat. Learn more on this walking tour, which will focus on the forces behind the block's history as a radical enclave.

Gay
Bi Women of All Colors Central Park Picinic at the Central Park Boathouse
Central Park (at 72nd St)
Upper West Side/Manhattan
3PM

Come hang in the park with some friendly bi and bi-friendly sisters. Bring food, drinks, a blanket, and music or poetry to share.

Health & Wellness
Jivamukti Yoga in Central Park
Fifth Ave (at 69th St/East Green Sign)
Upper East Side/Manhattan
(212) 343-0214
Noon

If the goal of yoga is to connect with all beings everywhere, why not do so in the great outdoors? Take your practice off the mat and onto the grass at this gratis yoga class. A donation is requested and all proceeds go to Animal Mukti, a free spay-and-neuter program for NYC cats and dogs. All levels are welcome.

Comedy
Beauty Bar Comedy at Beauty Bar
231 E 14th St (b/t Second and Third Aves)
East Village/Manhattan
(212) 539-1389
9PM

Vince Averill and Jesse Popp host stand-ups Patrick Borelli and Chris Jurek.

 If you are thinking about buying a home - think fast, because you are about to miss out!

Last year, the government instituted a $7,500 tax credit for new home buyers that had to be paid back over a term of 15 years - with the stipulation that your home had to be purchased before the end of 2008.  Well, in an effort to stimulate the economy, President Obama has revamped the tax credit and extended it through December 1, 2009.

 But its only July....I have plenty of time to wait on the market and still claim the tax credit.

WRONG!  Think about this - In the New York area, it will take 2-3 months turnaround time from your accepted offer for you to close on your new home.  If you are waiting for Condo Board approval - or approval from a bank to buy a short shale - it could take even longer.  For you to take advantage of the 2009 tax credit...you must hold the title of your new home by December 1, 2009.  This means that you need to have an accepted offer (at least) by the end of August.

 So you have a month and a half to find your new home and get them to accept your offer...

Why should you care if you claim the First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit?  What does it mean to you?  Um...you care - or you will after you know what its all about...

What is the First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit?
You will receive an income tax credit to be applied towards your next filing equal to 10% of the purchase price of your new home up to $8,000.  This means if you are buying a home priced $80,000 or more - your credit will be $8,000.  This is a refundable credit - which means that if you owe $3,000 to the IRS...after your credit is applied, you will receive a tax refund of $5,000.  Under the revamped program, your tax credit DOES NOT HAVE TO BE PAID BACK TO THE GOVERNMENT. Seriously - when was the last time the government handed you even $8 - well this is 1000 times more... and all yours!

Who is eligible to claim the credit?
The law defines 'first-time buyers' as someone who has not owned a principal residence during the 3 year period before their 'new home' is purchased.  For married couples, this means neither person can have claimed ownership - for unmarried joint purchasers, only ONE of you must meet the requirement.  Married couples cannot claim over $150K income - the limit is $75K for single buyers.  There is a partial credit offered to homebuyers who make up to $20K more than the limits as well.

Rob Dietz, PhD, director of tax issues for the National Association of Home Builders explains the benefits and requirements of the tax credit in full
 

My advice is to start your New York home search right away - and not miss out on this amazing giveback from the government!!
 

Biking
Red Bull Trackstar Courier Classic at the Red Bull Space
40 Thompson St (at Watts St)
Soho/Manhattan
2PM

This bike race is not for amateurs: Teams of four will compete in an alleycat-style race around the city, with the goal of picking up packages from predetermined locations, for a grand prize of $1,000. Individuals can compete in a solo race, which happens after the team competition. The Red Bull Space will serve as home base, and will host a party postcompetition.

Comedy
Dumpster Tequila Musical Improv at The Creek
10-93 Jackson Ave (at 49th Ave)
Long Island City/Queens
(718) 706-8783
10PM

The troupe, joined tonight by special guests Abigail Murphy, Michelle Markowitz, and Ninja Sex Party, creates a 30-minute musical based on one audience suggestion.

Folk Music
Main Squeeze Accordian Festival at Pier 1/Riverside Park South
W 66th St (at the Hudson River)
Upper West Side/Manhattan
3PM

Not content merely running an accordion store and directing an all-female accordion orchestra, local squeezebox diehard Walter Kuhr also mounts this daylong fest devoted to the aesthetically controversial instrument.

Theatre
Life On A Desert Island in Central Park
Central Park West (at 69th St)
Manhattan
4:30PM

Based on Daniel Defoe's classic Robinson Crusoe, this interactive one-man show doubles as a survivalist how-to for children and their panicky, water-hoarding parents.

Exhibits
Threads at Center for Book Arts
28 W 27th St, Third Floor (b/t Broadway and Sixth Ave)
Gramercy/Manhattan
(212) 481-0295
10AM-4PM

The 30-plus pieces in this exhibit-which include prints, sculptures and performance art-all incorporate thread in some way.

Clubs
Tiki Boys' Social Club at Otto's Shrunken Head
538 E 14th St (b/t Aves A and B)
East Village/Manhattan
(212) 228-2240
10PM

Frank2Far and his deejaying buddies supply this tiki bar (well, it's an East Village-style tiki bar, at least) with punk, rockabilly, ska and such. Live bands often open the proceedings. For more info, go to ottosshrunkenhead.com.

How Are You Keeping Cool This Summer?

With schools out, and the weather finally starting to heat up, old and young alike are heading to some of the city’s 54 public pools. With 10 locations in Queens, pools are open through Labor Day for residents to escape the heat. At indoor pools, the recreation center membership is $75 per year for adults, $10 per year for seniors and free for children under the age of 18. General hours of operation are 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Call individual pools for more specific information. Learn about adult lap swimming and Parks' other free swimming programs for tots, children, teens, and adults. Call Parks' Citywide Aquatics at (718) 760-6969 for more information.

Water Safety

• Learn to swim: Swimming is an important personal safety skill and a great way to stay in shape.
• Swim only when lifeguards are present: Lifeguards are there for your protection. Follow their directions and all rules.
• Swim with a friend: Drowning often involves single swimmers. A friend can signal for help if a problem develops.
• Swim sober: Alcohol impairs swimming ability and is a major factor in drowning.
• Supervise children: Watch children closely even when lifeguards are present.

• Drink water: Your body needs plenty of water to prevent dehydration on hot summer days. Pay special attention to children. They can become dehydrated more quickly than adults.
• Use sunscreen: Sunburn is painful and unhealthy. Use sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher and reapply frequently.
• Protect your eyes: Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from the sun’s ultraviolet rays.
• Wear appropriate clothing: Wear light loose flitting clothing to keep cool and a hat to keep you shaded.

Public Pools In Queens

Organization
Brooklyn Critical Mass in Grand Army Plaza
Flatbush and Prospect Park W
Prospect Heights/Brooklyn
7PM

Members of the bike-group-cum-political-organization Critical Mass take to the streets of Brooklyn for their monthly ride. Afterward, join the riders for a party at grill-friendly East River Bar (97 South 6th St at Bedford Ave, Williamsburg, Brooklyn; 718-302-0511), which is BYOM (bring your own meat).

Honors
Stickball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at the Museum of the City of New York
1220 Fifth Ave (at 103rd St)
Upper East Side/Manhattan
(212) 534-1672
6PM

Practitioners of the beloved street game and community activists gather to honor some of the greats of the sport at this annual ceremony.

Health & Wellness
Community Healthcare Network Block Party at the CABS Health Center
94-98 Manhattan Ave (at Boreum St)
Bushwick/Brooklyn
(718) 388-0390
9:30AM-3PM

This no-cost block party is making health care fun. Entertainment for kids (clowns, face painting, a bouncy house and giveaways) will be on hand along with health screenings, HIV counseling and testing, blood pressure and glucose checks, and much more.

Theatre
Joan of Arc at the Pine Lawn/Fort Tryon Park
Enter at Cabrini Circle
Inwood/Manhattan
(212) 252-5258
8PM

Christopher Carter Sanderson and Gorilla Rep swing into summer action with Robert Steven Ackerman's treatment of the famous peasant girl who led French troops with only the voices of saints (and a fetching gamine hairdo) to guide her.

Comedy
The Living Room at Postmark Cafe
326 6th St (b/t Fourth and Fifth Aves)
Park Slope/Brooklyn
(718) 982-ARTS
8PM

Luke Thayer and Abbi Crutchfield present an hour of stand-up with underground comics, special guests and mock news.

Social Gatherings
K2 Lounge at Rubin Museum of Art
150 W 17th St (at Seventh Ave)
Chelsea/Manhattan
(212) 620-5000
6PM

Celebrate the end of the workweek at the Rubin Museum's happy-hour party, featuring cocktails and appetizers, live music, DJs, free tours and talks.