STAPLE STREET IN ALL ITS GLORY
Thanks to A. for the shots: the scaffold is down on Staple Street, and it’s looking sharp. Too bad the cobblestones will never be restored…

SPECIAL CHRISTMAS TREE COLLECTION NO LONGER SPECIAL
The Department of Sanitation sent around a note to say that trees will be collected curbside any time on your building’s compost day, thanks to the expansion of citywide curbside composting. Trees must be naked — without plastic bags (my pet peeve!) decorations, ornaments or stands. NYC Parks will also help recycle Christmas trees during Mulchfest through January 11; there is a dropoff at The Battery. Learn more: nyc.gov/mulchfest.

SOTO METHOD EXPANDING TO THE UES
The SotoMethod, which opened here in 2024 on Warren and now has a studio on Thomas, has expanded to the Upper East Side and will open in the spring on East 86th.

FRIENDS OF BARNETT NEWMAN IS A PLAZA PARTNER
The Friends of Barnett Newman Triangle is now an official Plaza Partner with the NYC Department of Transportation — that’s how Bogardus got started. More soon on what this means for the traffic triangle and improvements here, but in the meantime, you can get involved here.