Beautiful! Thanks, Erik! — SJW on Shadowland (Vol. 4)

88 Franklin penthouse for 359K??? NY Times has it for 12mil http://realestate.nytimes.com/sales/detail/10826-267047/88-Franklin-Street-PH-NEW-YORK-NY-10013 — robbie on Real Estate Sales Report

ET - correct about flag. — David G. Imber on Seen & Heard: Did You Lose a Rat?

Take pictures of the illegally-parked buses showing the location, license plate, company info, the owner/operator/USDOT info that's along the side somewhere near the bottom, and send it along with the date and time to CB1. They will forward it to a person at the city who contacts the bus company with proof that they are parking illegally. Some of these buses are equipped with GPS devices so that the company knows where they are as opposed to where they're supposed to be. Good luck with getting the police to do anything. Or if you have an hour or two you could call 311. — Hudson River on Seen & Heard: Barbarini Update

A reader sent in this explanation on Gothamist: http://gothamist.com/2009/01/13/red_hand_white_man_conflicted_cross.php Pertinent part: "DOT spokesperson Seth Solomonow sent us this statement: 'There are about 100,000 pedestrian signals citywide (roughly about eight pedestrian signals per signalized intersection). Many signals are reaching the end of their expected seven-year life cycle. About 5% were repaired for 'dual phase' issues related to lens problems last year (that is, over a twelve-month period). As with all of our facilities, we have an active program to replace and repair malfunctioning signals. In addition to our own inspections, any individual units that need attention can be reported to 311 for prompt repair.'" LOL re calling 311 — Erik Torkells on Seen & Heard: Barbarini Update

I remember reading last winter or the one before that the walk + don't walk problem was caused by extreme cold. The problem certainly seems to have compounded last week when the temperatures were abnormally low. — NV on Seen & Heard: Barbarini Update

@citypixie: I found that article, too, but it's from 2010.... Surely they would've fixed that problem by now? — Erik Torkells on Seen & Heard: Barbarini Update

I think they are signs that malfunction. THe city suggests you call 311 to report. http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2010/12/16/some-nyc-crosswalk-lights-giving-mixed-signals/ — citypixie on Seen & Heard: Barbarini Update

N/E corner or Hudson and Franklin. Sovereign Bank is on the main floor. — Andrea on Where in Tribeca…?

@Stella, Alejandro, and Tom: Thanks! As you can see, I included the photos in the post (because people might think those links are spammy looking). If that's a problem, just let me know. — Erik Torkells on Seen & Heard: Flowers on the Bridge

I did it because was a good idea. Here's some more photos of it all - https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/398085_10101639989943809_636395052_n.jpg https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/555394_10101639990113469_2077451440_n.jpg https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/550352_10101646748709189_381920173_n.jpg — Tom Liu on Seen & Heard: Flowers on the Bridge

So happy you all enjoyed it and that it brightened peoples day. — Alejandro on Seen & Heard: Flowers on the Bridge

We did it for the smiles x ;) — Stella on Seen & Heard: Flowers on the Bridge

I had dinner on Wednesday night at Acqua and last night at Cowgirl. Both had good turnout and the food at both was great. This area will rebbound to be sure though not with all of the original restaurants. Some are moving on. It appears that Barbarini is moving to the District in the corner space at William and Ann and I've heard from a good source that another of the Front street restaurants is also taking a larger space space closer to Fulton. I'll disclose who and where once I get confirmation. — Luis on The Seaport, Three Months Later

I just dropped off my mixer in Howard Beach—that was an exciting trip—and the repairman told me that the FDA insists the grease in mixers be edible! — Erik Torkells on Cooking Like Karen DeMasco

Thanks, Bronwyn! Yes, they're by me. — Erik Torkells on Shadowland (Vol. 4)

Yet another delay. While I do not plan on joining this facility as my building already has one, I recognize that the recreation center will be a major asset to the community. However, the two years of delays with little or no information have been frustrating to say the least. I do not understand the cloak-and-dagger routine. At first it was "construction delays" and then it was a "contract dispute" between BPCA and Asphalt Green. Then, when that dispute was settled (and no one outside of BPCA or Asphalt Green seems to know what the dispute was over), opening was once again delayed. Now they have the "Hurricane Sandy" excuse. While this last one may be legitimate, one wonders how long this reconstruction project will last. I, for one, have not seen any progress so far on this since November even though Chelsea Piers (which was devastated by the floods) managed to reopen in a matter of weeks. The latest talk about "waiting for materials" and "waiting on permits and inspections" seems like the same old tale from the last few years. It's time for the powers that be to come clean and tell the residents of our neighborhood EXACTLY what is going on. It is my understanding that Asphalt Green has been taking membership applications for this center since 2011 with a one-year commitment and yet here we are in 2013 and they have nothing to show for it. — Gene on Asphalt Green Update

Sietsema is hilariously parochial. Erik, please promise us you'll never be that bad. — Suzanne F on In the News: Hospital Help

Great photos . Who did them ? Did you Eric ? — Bronwyn on Shadowland (Vol. 4)

We use this book all the time. It's fantastic! I love the jasmine rice pudding, the milk chocolate and hazelnut panna cotta, the banana malt ice cream, the brioche pain perdu... the list goes on and on. Her ice cream recipes are some the best, we've never had one come out badly. She's a good teacher. — Doug on Cooking Like Karen DeMasco

Sonia, you are a brave woman! — KP on Seen & Heard: Did You Lose a Rat?

Def a couple of units at Arman that are owner occupied. One since Dec? — Rohin on Seen & Heard: Did You Lose a Rat?

Finally Fika! Thanks for update :) — Rohin on Seen & Heard: Inside 250 West

@Alan and Heather: I'm no Leonard Street expert, but the flag struck me as new. (I mean a new version of the one that had been there.) — Erik Torkells on Seen & Heard: Did You Lose a Rat?

the 56 leonard street flag has been up since 2009 — heather on Seen & Heard: Did You Lose a Rat?