LOCAL PRESCHOOLERS GET THEIR OWN PODIUM AT CITY HALL
As part of his request for proposals from 2K and 3K providers, Mayor Mamdani invited some preschoolers from the District 2 Early Childhood program at 52 Chambers — dubbed by him as New York’s Cutest — to make the announcement. And he gave them their own podium. That’s Tribecan Samuel stealing the show in his shirt and tie. “This is the first step toward universal childcare, so I brought in the experts,” the mayor said. The press corps played along.

PASTA FACTORY AT NONNA DORA’S
Can’t believe I haven’t even written up Nonna Dora’s yet — but in the meantime, T. sent this shot over: a pasta factory (that’s the translation) just next door. More soon.

BEAST & BUTTERFLIES AT THE M SOCIAL
I did not realize the Millennium Hotel on Church and Vesey is now the M Social Downtown. It was rebranded in October 2025. (The Novotel in Times Square was reopened around the same time as an M Social Times Square.) Both have a gin and tapas restaurant in them called Beast & Butterflies, and ours has a great view of the Oculus. Will try to stop by soonish.

25 YEARS LATER TALK AT THE 9/11 MUSEUM
The 9/11 Museum will host a talk titled “25 Years Later: A Transformed New York City” on Wednesday, February 25, from 6 to 7p. In conversation with 9/11 Memorial & Museum president and CEO Beth Hillman, architect (and former Tribecan) Vishaan Chakrabarti, historian Kenneth T. Jackson, and Columbia Business School Professor Lynne Sagalyn will reflect on how New York City has transformed in the quarter century since the attacks. RSVP here.