PROGRESS REPORT: OPENING SOONISH
What’s in the works for Tribeca in the coming months (knock wood). I encourage everyone to read this if only so you’ll know what I’m quacking about.

IN THE NEWS
••• 1/3 roundup: Danny Meyer rumor. Plus: 9/11 health bill signed; Bouley tasting menu; Trinity Real Estate Q&A; East River Waterfront Park opening delayed; Highlights in Jazz; courtroom artist interviewed; artist Jonathan Waite; Project Rebirth.
••• 1/4 roundup: Balloon commute. Plus: Beekman Tower video; Carmellini in food spat; more 5 Beekman photos; New York State pulling out of 1WTC?; the new Pace dorm; 9/11 documentary; Stuzzicheria.
••• 1/5 roundup: Mehtaphor reviewed. Plus: Ward III takes on a Midtown classic; Clay Oven in FiDi; “Bodies” temporarily closed; Tenoverten; Soho Photo’s new show about heroic Muslims; the Flea’s Jomama Jones show reviewed; Capri Caffé; New York Academy of Sciences; Richard Varick, the man behind the avenue.

SERENE SCENES OF WINTER
Leave it to a Swedish expat to see the beauty of winter: Photographer Ellinor Stigle took these crisp, monochromatic images on Christmas morning, when she and her mother were walking Ellinor’s dog in Hudson River Park.

WHAT’S UP THIS WEEKEND
Here are three of the highlights from the calendar for this weekend (Friday–Sunday). More info on these—and the full calendar—is here.
1. Opening reception at Jack Hanley Gallery for Folke Köbberling and Martin Kaltwasser’s installation, “Postautomobilzeitalter”—for which the artists turned a Saab 900 into two functioning bicycles. (Friday)
2. Honeysuckle Rose, a Willie Nelson/Dyan Cannon/Amy Irving vehicle from 1980, screens Friday at 92YTribeca. That’s the film that “On the Road Again” is from. Now you have “On the Road Again” stuck in your head, don’t you?
3. The Iron Mule Short Comedy Film Festival at 92YTribeca. (Saturday)

HOW A NUTRITIONIST EATS AT… WALKER’S
Yes, you can have the burger: Nutritionist Amy Shapiro explains how she orders—and why—when she dines at Walker’s.

SEEN & HEARD
••• 1/3 roundup: New tea shop. Plus: Gym deal; Babesta discount; swell cookie; Hudson River Park opportunity; Printing House gym; score one for the Patriot.
••• 1/4 roundup: Three rumors [one of which has since been verified] re: Chanterelle, Whole Foods’ upstairs, and a shop closing. Plus: Discounts on art and kids’ clothing; “Newsies” sing-along.
••• 1/5 roundup: Salon closing. Plus: Hudson River Park Trust departure; Cowboy Junkies; Whole Foods wellness center; Imagination Playground; deals for TRX fitness, Mexican food, and spa treatments; Gymboree party; 57 Reade façade.