A Navy assault ship built with steel from the World Trade Center, The USS New York, sailed up the Hudson River Monday morning, stopped beside the World Trade Center site and issued a 21-gun salute. From there, the ship will dock at Pier 88. The official commissioning will take place Saturday. And what an impressive vessel.The USS New York is 684 feet long and can carry up to 800 Marines. Its flight deck that can handle helicopters and the MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft. Approximately 7.5 tons of World Trade Center steel was melted at the Bradken Inc. foundry in Amite (a-MEET), La., and used in the New York’s bow. The commissioning of this ship will coincide with a 9/11 memorial which is opening at the Intrepid Museum.

Memorial For 9/11 Victims Opens At Intrepid Museum

A new memorial for the innocents murdered on September 11 was unveiled at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum Saturday. Two large pieces of steel from the World Trade Center now rest on the pier, along with a plaque in honor of the victims.  Governor Paterson said the tribute embodies the spirits of those who sacrificed. “It is an honor, a solemn honor to be here today and hope that this gesture that the intrepid is making will serve in many ways to enlighten those who still suffer.” The governor also said he hopes the memorial will offer families a place to grieve.

The 2009 the 83rd Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is fast approaching. This year it will be held on Thursday, November 26th from 9am to noon. The parade is one of those free things to do in New York that make this city so special. But get to the parade route early and stake out a good place to view. Most arrive before 7:00am to even be close to getting front row seating along the route. Dress warmly as the average morning temperature at this time of year here in New York is about 40 degrees. Think layers, that way you can remove them as the sun appears and the day gets warmer. Stake your position, settle in and enjoy!

THE PARADE ROUTE

The 2009 parade begins at 9:00am at 77th Street and Central Park West and meanders its way down to Macy’s flagship department store at Herald Square, 34th Street and 6th Ave. It will begin at 9:00am outside the American Museum of Natural History, between 77th and 81st Sts. at Central Park West. It heads south on Central Park West alongside Central Park. On this stretch of the Parade, the balloons are held close to the ground, to avoid trees and crosswinds. At Columbus Circle (on the southwest corner of Central Park), the parade turns onto Broadway. Once on Broadway, the balloons are raised to their full height and the parade continues southeast, through Times Square, to the Macy’s building at Herald Square (where Broadway intersects with 34th St. and the Avenue of the Americas). The Parade will end as it takes a right turn onto 34th St, and another right onto 7th Ave, where the balloons and floats are then disassembled and trucked off. Plan on the entire parade lasting it’s usual three to four hours. As always, though, the length and the duration of the parade will depend on where you view it from. If your viewing place is closer to the beginning of the parade route, plan on about 1 1/2 hours. At Macy’s, plan on it lasting closer to 2.5-3 hours.

The Best Public Viewing Areas:

Central Park West:  West side of street from 70th Street to Columbus Circle/East side of street from 70th to 65th streets

Columbus Circle: West side of street

Broadway: East and West side of avenue, between 58th & 38th Streets

34th Street: South side of street between Broadway & 7th Avenue

The New York Comedy Festival started on Wednesday and continues through the weekend at 10 venues around the city. In addition to the headliners below, there are panels with the writers of “Late Night With Jimmy Fallon ” and “The Colbert Report ” and special shows at Carolines and Gotham Comedy Club. One of the highlights of the festival will be Dane Cook’s New York stop. He’ll play the Madison Square Garden as a part of the New York Comedy Festival on Thursday. Here’s some other highlight performers:

ARTIE LANGE

The Howard Stern sidekick and bestselling author of “Too Fat to Fish”

Friday night at 7:30. Beacon Theatre, 2124 Broadway at 74th Street

BILL BURR

The “Chappelle’s Show” regular, with guests Paul Virzi and Joe DeRosa

Friday night at 8, Town Hall, 123 W. 43rd St.

TRACY MORGAN

The “Third Rock” funnyman is also the author of a hilarious new book, “I Am the New Black”

Friday night at 8, Carnegie Hall 57th Street at Seventh Avenue

MIKE EPPS

The “Def Comedy Jam” alum just hosted the BET Hip-Hop Awards.

Saturday at 8 p.m., Beacon Theatre, 2124 Broadway at 74th Street

PATTON OSWALT

The star of the recent movie “Big Fan” makes his New York Comedy festival debut.

Saturday at 8 p.m., Town Hall, 123 W. 43rd St.

ANDY SAMBERG

Expect the “SNL” cast member to bring some friends along for the show.

Sunday at 8 p.m., Town Hall, 123 W. 43rd St.

BILL MAHER

The “Real Time” and “Politically Incorrect” host discusses issues of the day.

Sunday at 7 p.m. Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Broadway at 66th Street

The Bronx Bomber’s victory ticker-tape parade celebrating their historic 27th World Series win is scheduled to begin on Broadway at Battery Place at 11 a.m. Friday.  Metro-North Railroad has kindly announced that it will be adding trains to accomodate fans heading down to the Yankees ticker-tape parade in lower Manhattan.  NY Waterway is also adding ferries, including the famed Yankee Clipper, to provide Yankees fans with the fastest and easiest way to reach the festivities.