I live in the North-East Bronx, just South of Westchester, NY, and I find that most of the local nurseries, garden centers, and Home Depots/Lowes etc. suck, if you're trying to find anything that approaches an "exotic" ingredient for making Al's growing medium. None stock Turface-MVP, and they never heard of it. I've been to them all, and haven't found anything that could be called "pine-bark fines"...just shredded mulches....that will mat down, and clog the mix. After you factor in the cost of gas, your personal time, phone bills, cost of the products, time used to screen out unwanted materials -which doubles the cost, if 50% is wasted- the mix becomes very expensive. I can't be bothered hunting down all the ingredients anymore. I cut my losses. I just buy premium grade Repti-Bark at the local Pet-Co/Pet-Smart, a 20 lb. bag of aquarium grit, and a bag of Turface-MVP, and make the mix. NAPA Auto has oil-dry compound that can sub for the Turface. Some of the bark nuggets are too large, but, what the hay. Most of it is usable out of the bag. Hit the big pieces with a hammer. Yes, there are cheaper alternatives for the ingredients that I have mentioned, especially the Repti-Bark, but I'm not driving all over the state just to collect the ingredients that I need. Re-read the 2nd paragraph. Just my two-cents worth. The mix is great,...if you could find what you need, EASILY. My Clivia love the stuff, and you can not over-water plants! No PWT either! Frank PS....When the bark breaks down, just wash out the residue, and re-cycle the Turface-MVP, and the grit. Use new bark chunks, and you're good to go. Just the bark-fines break down.

You could also try Architectural Kitchens in Rockville Center, Long island. Speak to Steve Haas, CKD (owner) 516-766-5833. They do fabulous work in NYC, very reasonably priced. They deal in Kountry Kraft (custom made cabs from PA) + some other brands. Very good service. They can also GC the job, so you only have one person to deal with for everything! They are within walking distance of the LIRR station in RVC on Sunrise Highway. Here is a link that might be useful: Kountry Kraft Cabinetry

Buy the Michelin green guide to NYC and do your own tours. Walk! Get hungry and spend the money on the great food in NY! The circle line cruise provides a unique look at the city. It will take you past Miss Liberty, which I always find a thrill. But you need to reserve to go to Ellis or Liberty Islands. Here's the link: http://www.statueoflibertytickets.com You can go to tkts in Times Square for Broadway shows but there are long lines. Sometimes a visit to the box office of a theater can turn up last minute tickets that were released but it's very hit and miss. Best to go for those ahead. I always check the seating plan for the theater before I buy.

When shopping for cabinets, here's some beginner pointers: Know what you are buying by getting a full, detailed description of what materials they are made of structurally (the box construction) & the door materials & slide mechanisms before you buy. You can even buy a door sample & cut it in half to really know what's inside. Avoid cabinet lines that the structural box parts are made out of MDF, or particle board. Thick plywood box construction with solid wood drawers & doors is suggested.High density MDF is ok for door fronts or center door parts,too. Metal soft close glides & hinges. Avoid foil. It peels & can not be re-painted. Hard to fix. Painted or stained wood can be repainted in the future. There are different types of cabinet door overlays to learn as well. Example: To start, how about finding a few kitchen photos online you like, then post on here, so viewers can get an idea of what you like & then can help direct you towards finding your goals.