RICHARD YOUNGER RETIRES FROM CHURCH STREET
When my son was in preschool at Church Street School, when it was on Warren, I used to go to pickup early so I could sit outside the classroom and listen to Richard Younger play the guitar and piano with the kids — and I wasn’t the only parent there on the bench with the same intent. He is such a wonderful singer. Richard is now retiring from teaching after 20 years, following a career in performance. Born and raised in Brooklyn, Richard holds a BA in music and journalism from Baruch College and has performed at folk and rock clubs in the New York area, undertaken solo tours of Denmark and Holland, and released a solo album, “Blue Horses.” His writing has appeared in The New York Times, New York, MOJO and assorted music magazines, and he is the author of “Get A Shot of Rhythm and Blues: The Arthur Alexander Story.” Wishing him all the best and thanks from the music-loving kids (and parents) of Tribeca.

SMYTH TAVERN ADDS OUTDOOR SEATING
The Smyth hotel and Smyth Tavern added some outdoor seating on West Broadway between CHambers and Warren — along with a pretty floral display.

A SURPRISE AT FINN SQUARE
I know cacti are native to the city — there’s a batch in City Hall Park and Hudson River Park planted them when they built the gardens at Pier 26 — but it was still a surprise to see them in full bloom in Finn Square. Had to get low though for the shot!

FRENCH CLASSES AT PS 234
EFNY, Education en Français à New York, a volunteer-run, not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting the French language in New York City public schools, has reinstated its classes at Manhattan Youth PS 234 (but also open to kids who are not enrolled at the school) after a hiatus for covid. The program was founded by francophone parents motivated to support NYC students attending American schools in their endeavor either to acquire or to preserve and strengthen French as an academic language. There will be three classes this coming school year.