I was watching Cool in Your Code, Woodside: Queens; Little Melting Pot -11377 today which I had PVR'd from the broadcast on WNYC. I think they'll let you watch the whole episode online. It's a great show for getting a micro look at the good stuff around NYC. I do have to warn you the hosts are a touch over the top, I don't think you can call it schmacting if it's hosting a show, but it's close.
Cool in Your Code is actually how I found Arnold Hatters, perhaps one of the best hatters in the world, ( 535 Eighth Avenue, Between 36th & 37th Street ). I have purchased a brown fedora, and two straw hats (for the summer obviously) from them. Their customer service and commitment to quality is unmatched. My wife has a coconut tele (as you see on the right) and noticed a slight problem with one of the stitches, she stopped by and they replaced her hat before she could completely tell them there was a problem. They take care of you with an almost saintly patience and nearly insist you try on half a dozen hats before you buy. The gentleman I usually speak to also taught me the secret of how to wear a hat properly.
The two things you should know about hats are:
First, A proper hat is worn with a slight angle to one side, left or right, you choose. Wearing it square on your head makes you look like a rube. Seriously, check the old movies. Once you put a hat on properly, it's the most obvious thing inthe world.
Second, a bit of etiquette, a man does not touch another man's hat without permission - let me re-phrase because some people don't understand this - a man DOES NOT touch another man's hat without permission.
Oh yeah, and what I started blogging about, a Pontiac commercial. Don't own a car so doesn't much sell me on anything, but I do love the treatment of Spy Hunter. Brilliant.