FIRST IMPRESSIONS: COMPOSE
We made reservations at Compose (right), and we had a very nice dinner—at Duane Park.

WHAT’S UP THIS WEEKEND
Three of the highlights on this weekend’s agenda (the full calendar is here):
1. Silver screen icon Ann Miller gets the “Meet the Lady!” treatment at 92YTribeca, with Nellie McKay and John Epperson. There’s an afterparty too. Reminds me of seeing Kiss Me Kate in 3-D at the Film Forum about a thousand years ago…. (Friday)
2. The Liddabit Sweets/McClure’s Pickles pop-up shop. Such caramels! (Saturday and Sunday)
3. A sing-along to South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut. My ex-roommate is so going to be there.

2010 SHOP-LOCAL GIFT GUIDE: THE FINAL INSTALLMENT
A handful of stores that I overlooked—no reflection on them!—including La Lumia, Tent and Trails, Manhattan Books, Capital Audio Electronics, and Langdon Florist (left).

IN THE NEWS
••• 12/13 roundup: Compose. Plus: Tenoverten nail salon; 70s hotspot Teddy’s; Five Franklin Place; P.S. 276 donation; bus connection improved; “The Wife” reviewed; SoulCycle expands outside NYC.
••• 12/14 roundup: Woolworth Building. Plus: Corton; interior designer Katie Lydon; gingerbread houses; William Beaver House; the Honorable William Wall; reasons to love CanDo. (Yeah, that’s not going to work.)
••• 12/15 roundup: Ice rink (not that one). Plus: 502 Canal getting rehabbed; “Nutcracker” kids; Deutsche Bank building; Peck Slip Post Office school negotiations; SouthWest N.Y. fights back; artist Robert Swain; the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel getting renamed; new Tribeca landmark; Matt Abramcyk.

NEW KID ON THE BLOCK: THE FARBER CENTER FOR RADIATION ONCOLOGY
If not for the state-of-the-art medical equipment, the 15,000-square-foot Farber Center for Radiation Oncology (right) could almost be mistaken for a spa.

SEEN & HEARD
••• 12/13 roundup: Bouley Studio. Plus: Washington Market Park Christmas party; Goodburger deal; Bubby’s for Christmas; New Year’s Eve.
••• 12/14 roundup: Hot chocolate. Plus: Mani-pedi deal; Christmas tree and electronics recycling; Christmas Eve fish dinner; activities for kids.
••• 12/15 roundup: Kids’ music roundup. Plus: Spa discounts extended; café on Laight?; salon party; Manhattan Children’s Theatre update.