offManhattan

The man who made Barack Obama an even more dazzling candidate for President with his “Hope” “Change” and “Progress” posters, has been busy with a campaign of his own. Shepard Fairey’s latest street piece, “Providence Industrial”, is located on Aborn between Washington and Westminster. Although the notorious artist took a commission of $5,000, raising money for AS220, a non-profit, grassroots community arts space, is the impetus behind the design.

oM exchanged emails with the Rhode Island School of Design graduate about his new 38-foot-by-80-foot mural, his old stomping grounds in the “Creative Capital,” what he plans to paint next—and if his hands will make a return to the walls of NYC.

Great things await travel in our future: jetpacks, floating walkways, miles long pneumatic tubes—all prophesied by the futurists at Hanna-Barbera—but what about the near future? In what ways can intercity travel become more convenient and efficient for us today? It’s a question we’ve asked and answered. It’s the bus.

More to the point, it’s Megabus. The Chicago-based company launched in 2006 as a subsidiary of Coach USA, and has since put itself at the vanguard of high-quality, low-cost city-to-city travel, servicing 19 Midwest and 14 Northeast cities in the United States. Later this summer, Megabus will introduce a new bus from New York City to Providence.

After the jump, learn about their big incentive for visiting the Creative Capital of Rhode Island.

· On your next visit to Atlantic City, have some sushi with that sea view at Tropicana’s new restaurant, Fin. [tropicana.net]

· For its 56th summer, the Newport Jazz Festival (August 6-8) has wrangled the best note-makers in the industry—Herbie Hancock, Wynton Marsalis, Chick Corea, Jamie Cullum, Maria Schneider, Chris Botti, Ahmad Jamal, and Anat Cohen—and has partnered with several hotels in town to present some very tempting (budget-friendly) packages. [newportjazzfest.net]

· Spontaneity is a great quality, but now it’s really time to make a plan, so take a look at offManhattan’s 14 assorted activities in and around NYC for July 4th. [oM]

· All 54 outdoor pools have opened for summer, so enjoy a free splash on a hot day at parks like historic Van Cortland, just off the 1 train at 245th St. in the Bronx. [nycgovparks.org]

· Chef Todd Mitgang, of newly opened South Edison restaurant in Montauk, offers seven scrumptious recipes, from lobster rolls to sorbets. [hamptons.com]

· Be it a graffiti art project, a poetry slam, DJ-battle-infused 39th Annual International African Arts Festival, or a two-day party commemorating the end of slavery in New York, the Brooklyn Arts Council has a lot of fun and free (or deeply discounted) events planned for this summer—beginning this weekend. [bac.org]

· The outdoor international film festival starts next week in Long Island City’s Socrates Sculpture Park. [liqcity.com]

With so much sweltering heat and humidity still to come this summer, it’s about time to think of something—anything—that will provide temporary respite from boiling sidewalks, still, stale air, and stuffy fourth-floor walkups. Whether you’re of the admirable “we all sweat together” constitution, or the less courageous but understandable “I sweat more than everyone else” crowd, there’s always the feeling that, well, it might be nice to be comfortable for just a little while. Before a dependence on air-conditioning takes hold, head for the crisp, cool breezes and rolling swells of the Atlantic.

Book a cabin on the Arabella, out of Newport, Rhode Island, and you’ll be whisked offshore on a classic, well-equipped windjammer yacht, with access to intimate island life at intriguing ports-of-call along the New England coast.

· The NYC Jazz Festival runs now through June 26, and includes music legends Roy Hargrove, Herbie Hancock, João Gilberto, and McCoy Tyner, as well as newer talent like Anat Cohen, Chris Botti, and Esperanza Spalding. [nycjazzfest.org]

· Whether you’ve got World Cup or indie music fever, there are at least two reasons to head to Brooklyn Bowl this weekend. [bkbowl.com]

· Need last-minute ideas for Father’s Day? Check out oM’s Father’s Day guide for activities in NYC. [oM]

· Bring the free-spirited little ones to the Imagination Playground Pop-Up Tour, stopping in playgrounds throughout each NYC borough, beginning with Bloomingdale Park in Staten Island this weekend. [nycgovparks.org]

· Mark your calendar for the 5th Annual Providence Restaurant Weeks July 11-24.  [goprovidence.com]

· Get your biking butt in gear by signing up ahead of time—you’ll save $5 and get a cool T-shirt—for the scenic Long Island Harbors Ride next weekend. [bikenewyork.org]

· Shakespeare in the Park has nothing on the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival, which launches its 24th season with The Taming of the Shrew on June 26. [hvshakespeare.org]

Around here, at offManhattan, Earth Day is a year-round mantra that we try and live by, not merely a daylong change of habits. So encourage your children to start on the green path, with earth-friendly habits that will last a lifetime. You will set the right example when you travel to your next vacation destination without a car.

oM readers are already familiar with Woodloch Pines and Skytop Lodge, both terrific choices for your family’s next holiday. Here are five more options in the Northeast, from Mount Tremper to Maine—free lobster dinners and free camp— that promise fun for kids and parents while respecting that most important parent, Mother Earth.

By now, the Callery Pear trees are arching their white blossoms over the streets, and coffee cups are clinking back down into saucers on the sidewalks of New York City. You love this town. Still, this is the year you’re going to enjoy spring or the next season in a distinctly different setting.

Perhaps you’re considering an adventurous outing with a non-profit organization?

Since 1901, the Sierra Club has established itself as a trailblazer in responsible travel. Whether you’re interested in preserving a historic mansion in an outer borough, or trekking in Upper Dolpo, Nepal for a month, there are over 300 stellar trips—186 of which are under $1,000—to choose from.

· Amtrak launched a new website with packages dedicated to train travel to various national parks around the country. [AmtraktoParks]
· Earth Hour is at 8:30 p.m. this Saturday, but if you’re feeling extra green, make it Earth Hours; get candles. [EarthHour]
· The first 100 people to show up at the spring opening of the Coney Island Cyclone on Sunday will get in free. [UrbanEye]
· Hard Rock International announced plans to build a casino-hotel on the boardwalk in Atlantic City. [AP]
· When in Brooklyn on Saturday, swing by Linger Café at 2:00 p.m. for sustainable eats—leave room for a chocolate sweet & salty cupcake—and Jazz Strings, great live entertainment by “Trio Tritticali.” [LingerCafé]
· Herbie the 18-pound Flemish bunny will be available for petting at Prospect Park Zoo this weekend. [CityRoom]
· From the folks who brought you the Five Boro Bike Tour, Bike New York will open registration in April for a new summer ride, Discover Hudson Valley. [BikeNY]
· A new greenmarket could open as early as May at Pier 40 in Chelsea. [dnainfo]
· The lineup for the Newport Jazz Festival sounds good. [NewportJazzFest]