••• I was walking along Canal the other day when I was caught by surprise: 471 Washington, at the southeast corner of Canal, is well on its way up. The building had been stalled for a while. I called the architect, Ben Hansen, to find out if these renderings, which I found online, are still accurate, but I haven’t heard back (and in my experience, architects tend not to return calls). Anyway, it’s nice to see progress on what looks to be a very interesting building.

••• The next Tribeca Meet & Greet, the get-together for local business owners organized by BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center, will be July 20 at Kumon Learning Center in BPC (2 South End Ave.), from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Frankly Wines will provide the social lubrication, but truthfully, it’s always a nice group of people who are there to network (and are therefore at their most outgoing). I’ll be there, and I hope to see you. Well-behaved children are welcome this time around, as Kumon has activities for them.—after all, someone has to pour the wine!

••• On July 24, Playing Mantis will host artist Wendy Popp as she reads from her new children’s book, Where the Sunrise Begins: “Children from 5-12 are invited to share their visions of the sunrise, and create handcrafted images of their own with Wendy. The most inspired work will receive a book signed by the artist or a gift certificate from the store. Discover where the sunrise really does begin! Submissions accepted from artists ages 5–12; 3-D, drawings, paintings, and collage accepted, no larger than 11 inches by 17 inches. Deadline for art entries is July 24. No purchse necessary. Signed copies of Where the Sunrise Begins will be awarded to those artists whose sunrise submissions are recognized as exceptional!” The event starts at 2 p.m.

••• And here’s another outlet for artistic kids: On August 13–15, Manhattan Children’s Theatre presents “Eco-Flowers for Kids.” D.C.-based flower farmer Robin Peñaherrera “teaches kids and adults of all ages about the beauty and care of sustainably grown flowers. Best of all, everybody who attends gets to take home a flower arrangement they makes themselves, courtesy of Organic Bouquet.” Tickets are $20.

••• A release from the Battery Park City Authority: “Moody’s Investors Service confirmed the ratings on the Hugh L. Carey Battery Park City Authority’s $466 million in outstanding Senior Lien Bonds were rated at Aaa and $1.092 billion in outstanding Junior Lien Bonds at Aa3.”

••• “Blessing of the Backpacks” will be held Sunday, Sept. 5, at Trinity Church: “Students—preschool through adult—and teachers are asked to bring the backpacks and school supplies that they will use for the school year to the 11:15 a.m. service. A blessing will be offered that will lift up children, students, and teachers of all ages in a show of appreciation and support of their commitment to learning.”

••• Anyone out there want to do the TCQ&A? Email me at tribecacitizen@gmail.com. It’s fun! And if no one volunteers, I might just be forced to fill it out in the voice of my dog.