I won't put too fine a point on it, but the shower is very similar to an image I saw on the History Channel in a documentary about WWII. — David G. Imber on Loft Peeping: Playful Triplex

@Anna - No, it's not sarcasm, it's deep, flesh-penetrating jealousy. I hate having to buy my mannequins, when years ago they were just lying around in bunches on the sidewalks. I remember reading the newspapers back then that would describe the area as one of the top neighborhoods to live and it was "magically magical" and real estate agents would tell you that "not only is it magically magical, but there are also truly interesting people living around here." I hate the name TriBeCa too, maybe it could be called West Chinatown or Magic-lessTown? Now I have to go run out to get batteries for the TV remote (thank god there is somewhere to buy them these days), I hope I don't run into any walking zombies (or EriK) pushing their zombie strollers and sipping zombie macchiatos. Just in case, I will bring my magic pepper spray to squirt in the lifeless-eyes of the baby zombies. I do it for you, Anna, I do it for you. — Jim Smithers on Did That Really Happen?

Jim Smithers, Do I hear sarcasm? It's all true . You did miss an exceptional time when Tribeca (god, I still hate that name) was really was a magical place with actual interesting human beings. — Anna on Did That Really Happen?

It's the small details that make the big tableaux in my memory come to life. Thanks for that. Well done! — David G. Imber on Did That Really Happen?

@hi: I had never heard that before! — Erik Torkells on In the News: Bentley Theft

a snorkel is a large down jacket — hi on In the News: Bentley Theft

Yup, Tribeca is such a shit hole now. I can't believe parents remain to raise their children in this environment. Today, nobody knows anyone's name, even their own children's, and no one helps anyone else out, not even to hold the door. People lie in the streets bleeding to death. Children go hungry. Goldfish go thirsty. I wish the older & wiser Tribeca residents had stayed to show people how to really live properly & artsy. Maybe they all moved to a "real" real neighborhood. I hope they don't tell me where. — Jim Smithers on Did That Really Happen?

Where in Tribeca is really a game between Erik & Jim! We just watch the game! — Rose on Where in Tribeca…?

Great job Gardiner! We've been here since '78 when Tribeca was truly a neighborhood where everyone knew everyone and we all had common interests, truly an artsy environment. Before I moved downtown from the village I used to visit my brother on Duane St. & park in the empty lot which is now Washington Market Park. The Washington Market Montessori School was housed in what is now the Food Emporium. It had huge windows looking out onto the park before the FE bricked it up. We even had a food coop on Harrison or was it Jay St. We cheered when P.S. 234 was built & our kids had a fine environment to learn. They sure did learn there when there were only a few classes & these classes were truly filled with diversity, some children bused in to keep it diverse, so that our children would benefit from that. We worked together at the school to produce floats for the Village Halloween Parade when it meandered through the streets of the Village before the parade got too big & moved to 6th Ave. We moaned when Riverrun left and we're still moaning when we see what the neighborhood has transgressed into. It was a great experience raising our children here and I think they truly benefitted from growing up in Tribeca as we knew it. We still have our memories of finer days & those will always be with us. — Rose on Did That Really Happen?

Loved reading this Gardner, you the kids of TriBeCa have such a unique perspective on a city in flux. How great for you to set some of it down. I am sending this on ot my downtown kids and beyond. Thanks — wicki Boyle on Did That Really Happen?

(11-17) My first visit here since (probably) the late 80's was a complete shock. A friend requested we meet here and my wife and I did everything to avoid it. Now we’re fans. I admit there was some snobbery at play. My wife and most of my family are Japanese. Over 75% of the “Japanese” restaurants in NYC have no Japanese personnel at all. That’s no crime, of course, but it does invite critical comparison, and to say most places don’t pass muster is being very kind. The place also has a history. I’ve been in the nabe since the mid-70's when the dining scene was barren. When Zutto arrived in 1980 it was one of the first “serious” restaurants to take a chance here, and it built a fond following on that. Sometime in the early 90's, if I recall, the original Japanese owner sold it. From there it apparently lost its way. It managed to stay open as “neighborhood dependable”, but I’m told the quality of the food went into deep decline. A few months ago it was purchased anew, and put under the leadership of a new chef. The new menu (not fond of the trendy term “food program”, but it sounds more rigorous, and so may apply here) is hard to describe. “Pastiche” sounds like a put-down but it’s definitely not Japanese. The crew is Korean, and there are some Japanese dishes along with characteristic Chinese and Korean classics, but there’s quite a bit of traditional Euro-American fare as well. I’d say the characteristics that bind it together are the exceptional quality of the ingredients, care and delicacy in preparation, and grace in presentation. That praise isn’t overwrought. We came in prepared for disappointment and left delighted. The service is warm and attentive, the staff charming, the atmosphere welcoming, and the prices modest. (About the decor: If you are coming from a Japanese background there are some amusingly odd elements, but their eagerness to do right by their guests is part of the aforementioned charm). It’s always a great day when you can be surprised by any restaurant, especially one you thought you knew. I recommend a visit to the _new_ Zutto very highly. — David G. Imber on Zutto

Also, OWS doesn't have "members", and the New York Post isn't really a newspaper. Whatevs, but it doesn't deserve the good company of quotes from Tribeca Trib, DNA Info, Curbed, or the NYT, all of which at least try. (Jury's out on the Guardian). — David G. Imber on In the News: Bentley Theft

"$700-per-night" = $130 per night on Hotwire.com. — Ben on In the News: Bentley Theft

For many years, I lived in cities and towns in Italy, France, England, Spain California and Hawaii and I know what you know: Tribeca in the 80s was perhaps the most colorful place of all. Its scruffy, offbeat charm made me feel ever so privileged. I thought our daughter was so very lucky to grow up with the Riverrun restaurant and Puffy's Tavern and Nolan Henry's suprette, Bazzini's when it was still a peanut butter factory and the Washington Market Park before it was all tarted up (still a great park in its newer incarnation). The Public Theatre used to produce Shakespeare's plays on makeshift stages in the middle of Greenwich Street, and I wonder if that didn't launch you and my child into the actor's life. We still have the Square Diner, Puffy's, Morgan's corner grocery and Sue Ellen's tumbling classes. For those of my generation and your parents', we have offbeat, adventurous, fascinating children who still like to live here or come home for a long look around. Thanks for a lovely piece. — Chiara Coletti on Did That Really Happen?

The "garage space" at 80 Varick hasn't been a garage for more than 30 years. A "cultural center"? Is that what they're calling night clubs now? Reading Hotel Particular's facebook page, the intent and use of this space is clear, once you get past the convoluted language. For those old enough to remember the Tribeca "cultural center" Area, that appears to be the model of "Hotel Particular". How un-original. The new tenant should be aware that if they attempt to apply for a liquor license, every single prior attempt by a perspective tenant to obtain one has been defeated. Hotel Particular won't be the exception. — American Style on In the News: Judge Rules Against OWS

It seems that the Brookfield Security Company needs to have their employees attend a sensitivity course or possibly a simple course in common sense and how not to act like an arse just because they are wearing the uniform some less than prestigious company issued to them! Wake up and get it together Brookfield! I know I certainly would not hire them for anything! KV Schmitt — kelcy schmitt on In the News: Occupy Wall Street

@Andrea - OMG, I wish I did! I have so many ideas for flyers that need to be printed & posted throughout the United Tribeca Secure Zone. But to be honest, I have way too much free-time to justify a staff or to stop myself from following EriK around on his daily jaunts with his furry poo-poo-generator. — Jim Smithers on Where in Tribeca…?

Jim; Do you have staff? — Andrea on Where in Tribeca…?

Gardiner, Thank you for this! I grew up in Tribeca too (born in 1985) and miss the days where I learned to ride my bike down an empty Greenwich Street, or was forced to endure my mother buying "Fruit Leather" at Commodities on N. Moore as a replacement for my beloved Fruit Roll-Ups. I desperately miss the community and diversity of those days. Sometimes I like to walk up Washington Street and remind myself of what it was like when all the streets in Tribeca were cracked, all the buildings looked worn. — R.E. on Did That Really Happen?

Having grown up in Tribeca at exactly the same time as you, I am A.) amazed I don't know you and B.) I share your nostalgia for legitimately used loading docks, freight elevators and sideways-leaning staircases lit with green lightbulbs. — Lucia Brawley on Did That Really Happen?

LOL! Touché! The children of Tribeca are extremely well-dressed. — Rowena on 12 Tweets of Tribeca

Love that 4 year old! — DeeDee on 12 Tweets of Tribeca

love all of them! — liat on 12 Tweets of Tribeca

Is it PS 1? No, that's too far outside of Tribeca. St. John's Park? OMG, no way! Way too dangerous. Planter #4 at "Green Pavement Park" between Reade & Chambers. Final answer. BTW, that answer was donated by me in memory of District 2 School Zone - Proposal 2. — Jim Smithers on Where in Tribeca…?

"Collaboradoodle"! Love it! — SJW on Pop-Up: The Lake & Stars