11 REASONS TO BE EXCITED ABOUT THE FUTURE
There has been a lot of depressing news lately, and we likely haven’t heard the last of it, so let’s focus on the positive (for one post, anyway). Here are 11 things to look forward to in Lower Manhattan in coming months.

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BEGIN 2017 WITH A TAMID BOOST THIS FRIDAY
Tamid invites you and your friends to start 2017 with spirit this Friday at our monthly Shabbat gathering and dinner. Tamid is the home of Positive Judaism and 150-200 Downtown neighbors of all ages gather each month at the 9/11 Chapel to share in the warmth of Jewish community and new traditions. Tamid loves visitors and friends. Friday, Jan 6th, at 6 p.m. at the 9/11 Chapel (209 Broadway; enter through the Vesey St. gate). Free! More info visit tamidnyc.org. Sponsored.

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SEEN & HEARD
••• 1/2: Did Disney bail on the World Trade Center mall? Plus: Thank-you message from Harrison at Whole Foods; the grocery store’s kooky produce section; Spotify’s amusing Tribeca joke; another Leather Spa in FiDi; another Duane Reade at the World Trade Center mall; Yves signage.
••• 1/3: Soho furniture store moved to Tribeca. Plus: Question about 56 Leonard’s silver blob; the recent wedding frenzy; another glimpse inside Tetsu restaurant (above, along with an opening forecast); new residential entrance on Hubert.
••• 1/4: Secret showcase for Apple products? Plus: Lyons Den Power Yoga’s expansion (and second studio); Lotus Salon’s name change; Pearl Paint condo conversion; Wolf & Badger opening on Grand; Franklin Street retail vacancy.

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NEW CAFÉ ON CHURCH
A Chelsea café is branching out with a second location next door to Birdbath Bakery.

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IN THE NEWS
••• 1/2: Raymond Pettibon retrospective. Plus: Awkward situation at Community Board 1; escaping apocalyptic Manhattan by boat; more victims’ photos at the 9/11 Museum; a SoulCycle instructor’s beauty regimen.
••• 1/3: Sweetgreen will stop accepting cash. Plus: The chain is testing a no-seats location; Good Stock soup company’s first dedicated shop; fashion-related businesses have rented offices on Canal Street; woman slashed during Seaport mugging; old streetcar ticket discovered in Tribeca firehouse basement (above).
••• 1/4: “Queen of Tribeca.” Plus: A rave for Augustine; more on the closing of Parigot; equipment stolen from the World Trade Center Oculus; other area thefts; Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel construction to end early.

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DIRTY BIRD’S WINE BAR
The chicken specialists at Dirty Bird To Go are collaborating with Eben Lillie of Chambers Street Wines on a wine bar called Verre de Terre, or VdT. It’s just one subway stop away….

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