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Just because the summer is well behind us, doesn’t mean it’s time to pack up and head indoors. There’s tons of exciting outdoor fall activities you and your kids to explore. So, throw on your favorite sweater and enjoy these great fall activities from Hussain al Nowais:

1. Go Apple Picking

Apple picking is an enjoyable activity the whole family will love! You can spend time enjoying the fresh air and brisk weather, and stock up on fresh, delicious apples. You can use your apples to whip up yummy treats with the kids on the next rainy day, including apple cobbler, salsa, cider, pie or bread. Find an orchard in your area that offers apple picking to the public. Along with apple picking, orchards typically offer other activities as well, such as feeding the farm animals, hayrides and corn mazes.

2. Decorate a Pumpkin

In addition to apple picking, many orchards and farms offer pumpkin picking. You and the kids can take a hayride out to the pumpkin patch and pick your favorite pumpkins for carving. Or, head to the local grocery store for a good selection of pumpkins. There you can buy kid-friendly carving kits that come with cute and spooky patterns, or grab some paint and brushes for the little ones. And, don’t forget to save the seeds for roasted pumpkin seeds!

3. Take a Hike

A leisurely hike is a fun way to get a healthy dose of exercise and explore the beautiful fall foliage. Make a day of it by heading to a nearby park and bringing along a picnic and lawn games.

4. Make a Scavenger Hunt

Create a list of fall-themed items and search for them in your backyard. It’s an exciting activity that gets you and the kids outdoors, and you can customize the scavenger hunt for kids of all ages. Some things you can include in your scavenger hunt are something red, something yellow, a pumpkin, a pinecone, a haystack and a scarecrow.

5. Have a Bonfire

Fall is the perfect time of year to snuggle up by the bonfire. You and your family can make s’mores and enjoy apple cider made from your fresh orchard apples.

Which of these fall activities from Hussain al Nowais are you most looking forward to?

In a perfect world, you’d arrive at the airport to check in and make it through security in minimal time. You’d also have the plenty of time to grab a drink or bite to eat before your flight boards and leaves on time. While this situation is ideal, it almost never occurs. Travelers, whether traveling for business or vacation, experience long check-in and security lines, crowded airport terminals and flight delays. While you can’t entirely control your airport experience, there are some steps you can take to make it more pleasurable and less stressful. For a stress-free airport experience, consider the following tips from frequent traveler Hussain al Nowais.

1. Check in online – Most airlines let you check in online 24 hours prior to your flight’s departure time. Checking in online will save you time at the airport, especially if you aren’t checking a bag. Simply go to the airline’s website and enter your name and flight number to proceed with the check in process, which will take less than 5 minutes. By checking in online you can print your boarding pass and even pick your seat for an additional fee.

2. Leave early enough – Rushing to the airport will may leave you feeling stressed and anxious. Be sure to leave early to allow yourself enough time at the airport for checking in, going through security, grabbing a book or snack, and heading to your gate. It’s recommended to arrive 2 hours before a domestic flight and 3 hours before an international flight.

3. Know TSA carry-on regulations – The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has strict regulations on what you can bring past security. Along with the obvious items like knives and razors, you are not allowed to bring liquids, aerosols or creams that are larger than 3.4 ounces in your carry-on bag. All of your travel size products must be stored in one quart sized, clear zip-top bag. If you are unsure about an item, it’s best to put it in your checked bag. Otherwise, it may be confiscated and discarded by a TSA officer.

With these tips from Hussain al Nowais, your next airport experience is guaranteed to be more pleasurable.

Tips for Buying Commercial Real Estate

Whether you’re expanding your company or starting a new business, one of the most important facets of the progress is choosing your commercial property. Regardless of your industry, buying commercial real estate for your business is a huge investment, so you want to make sure you choose the right property. You commercial property should be well equipped with all the amenities and features your business needs to operate efficiently, as well as enough space should you need to expand your enterprise in the future.

To help you choose the perfect commercial real estate for your business, follow these tips from Hussain al Nowais. Al Nowais is a former-chef who operated his own restaurant in New York City for many years. Through searching for the right property for his restaurant, he learned the ins and outs of finding the best commercial property.

• Budget – Before you can set out hunting for new real estate, you have to review your finances and establish a budget. Chances are you won’t be paying for the commercial space up front, so you’ll need to make sure you can pay for the down payment. Also review your credit score to make sure you’ll qualify for a loan. Once you understand how you will finance the space and what type of space you can afford, you can begin your search.

• Location – Depending on what type of business you own, the location may be what sets your business up for success. For instance, if you own a restaurant or a retail store, you’ll need a property that’s visible and easily accessible. Properties that can be viewed from the street are great because they can attract consumers who are driving by. Maybe your business will perform best if located in a high-traffic shopping area, where shoppers always frequent. Your property should also have plenty of parking spaces. You don’t want to lose out on potential sales due to lack of parking. Likewise, if you own a business that often meets with clients, your business should also be easily to find. All businesses should consider a location that’s safe and provides an easy commute for employees.

• Amenities – Once you find a space you like, you must make sure it has all the amenities your business needs to run successfully. Things to check for are if the building has a security system, central air and an HVAC system, and pre-wiring for internet access. As the property owner, you’ll also be responsible for maintenance, such as repairs, snow removal and landscaping, so be sure to factor those additions into your budget.

• Growth potential – When buying commercial real estate, you need to consider the future. Think about where you’d like your business to be in the next year or so. Hopefully, you’d like your business to grow. If so, you need a space that can accommodate that growth.

When you set out on your search for the perfect commercial real estate, be sure to keep these 4 factors in the back of your mind.

Have you ever heard a New Yorker say New York City bagels are the best? If you don’t live in or near the city, then maybe you’ve simply brushed off this claim. But, if you’ve ever tried a NYC bagel, then you understand.

What makes NYC bagels so great?

Classic NYC bagels are fresh out of the oven and require certain preparation and ingredients. Bakers use high-gluten flour, water, yeast, salt and barely malt. The malt creates the smooth sweetness that gives NYC bagels their infamous great taste.

NYC bagels are typically shaped by hand. Once shaped, the dough is left for about 12 hours so it can rise. They are then boiled in water, pressed and baked. When bagels first took over the city, there were four main flavors: plain, sesame, poppy and salt. Today, you can find all sorts of flavors in NYC bagel shops, including garlic, onion, chocolate chip, wheat, everything and cinnamon raisin.
The NYC bagel tradition stems back to Poland in the 1700s. Eastern Europeans started immigrating to NYC in the 1880s, and brought with them their bagel craft.

Top NYC Bagel Shops

Today, amongst all the authentic NYC bagel shops, you may also find chain bagel stores that mass produce bagels, without putting added time or effort into the bagel making process. To help you differentiate the good from the bad, here is a list of the top bagel shops in NYC from Hussain al Nowais, a retired Manhattan chef and restaurant owner. At these bagel shops, you’ll get a taste of old-world New York and understand why NYC bagels are simply the best in the world.

• Absolute Bagels – Situated at 2788 Broadway on the Upper West Side, this bagel shop usually has a line out the door. Here the bagels are always coming fresh out of the oven, and you’re likely to get one when it’s still piping hot. When bagels were first introduced to NYC they were 3 ounces instead of 7. At this bagel shop you can get the traditional 3-ounce bagel.

• Barney Greengrass – Since its humble beginnings in 1908, this bagel shop has served up some of the best bagels in the city. Located at 541 Amsterdam Avenue on the Upper West, this shop is famous for its Jewish specialties. Try a bagel topped with Nova Scotia salmon or chopping herring salad.

• Russ and Daughter’s – This shop is a must-visit foodie destination, located at 179 E Houston Street on the Lower East Side. The shop is famous for its Jewish delicacies, which it has been serving up since 1914. This shop gets their bagels fresh from Bagel Hole in Brooklyn and finishes them off with their signature Nova lox and Ben’s Cream Cheese.

What’s your favorite bagel shop in NYC?