Act here to push for landmark status of the 80 Centre Street (= Lefkowitz) Building: http://hdc.org/featured/historic-districts-council-rfe-for-80-centre-street-to-lpc http://www.gothamgazette.com/opinion/7965-show-the-lefkowitz-some-love Write the mayor, and write to Landmarks, if you wish to voice your support of preserving this building. — Marcus on The Worth Street Mess

"how the changes could impact pedestrians" Surely the hope is that they won't impact pedestrians! — Marcus on In the News: Issey Miyake’s Proposed Signage

On another note: good to see ol' Johnny Rotten in the NYT. I often listen to "Never mind the bullocks here's the sex pistols" while walking my pup just to keep that spring in my step! It was a blast 40 years ago and is a blast today. It was sheer youth and anger battered together into the perfect mash of punk. Nothing like it but from which many other bands born. — TG on In the News: Tribeca Nanny Fired Because of Race

If a restaurant wants to start serving alcohol for the first time, it needs a new liquor license (not a change of operation). And happy hour isn't something the SLA concerns itself with. But it is possible that the Chipotles around here (save 281 Broadway) sold beer but not margaritas, and so they'd need to upgrade from a beer/wine license to a full liquor license. It sure would be nice if the agendas had a bit more info along these lines.... — Erik Torkells on The Worth Street Mess

I heard the finish date for the Worth Street project is 2021.... — AJ on The Worth Street Mess

Do the neighborhood Chipotle outposts involved sell beer, margaritas, and have a daily happy hour? I don't know, but some in the City sell beer, margaritas, and there was a happy hour trial run last summer. If not, maybe that's the change. — Eric on The Worth Street Mess

If you oppose the jail at 80 Centre Street, please note the following listing above: 10/11 Landmarks & Preservation Committee – 6:00 PM Location: Community Board 1 – Conference Room, 1 Centre Street, Room 2202A-North 3) 80 Centre Street, application for landmark status – Resolution — James Bogardus on The Worth Street Mess

Great ideas and thoughts. NYC has a rich (and poor) history of race relations that we can look at and learn from, many of which are within a close proximity to our neighborhood. Hopefully this too can be a teachable moment. — Robert Ripps on In the News: Tribeca Nanny Fired Because of Race

The space is great but who crafted the menu? It's awful. They don't serve real food. — Mo Tribeca on Seen & Heard: Change Is Afoot at Greca

It’s NYC. You want fields, move to the suburbs. This area has more fields than most. How about amenities that all New Yorkers can use? They should also get rid of most of the baseball fields in Central Park. Return them to park or at the very least turn them into more flexible fields for soccer etc. — Cd on In the News: Tribeca Nanny Fired Because of Race

It's so easy to do nothing, or look the other way. Here are some downtown excursions we have taken - each creates an opportunity for an age appropriate conversation. Visit the African Burial Ground on Duane Street at Elk. We went there the morning after Charlottesville to talk and play. I was incredibly depressed, and didn't share the details of what happened, but found that it was a good place to talk about the difference between people who chose to come to America and people who were forced. It's at once solemn and playful - and very well designed. https://www.nps.gov/afbg/index.htm -Visit the Irish Hunger Memorial in Battery Park. Explain that each of the stones on the path has the name of a county. Read the words in the entrance, and talk about native plants. It's a good entry point for why immigrants come to America - it is a better place than their current situation (and you can see the Statue of Liberty around the corner). Also a great place have a talk about why we shouldn't waste food. It's way more fun than screaming "eat your peas" for the millionth time. - Visit the Museum of the Native American Indian downtown. I often remind my child that there were people in Manhattan before the buildings, cement, and the many waves of immigration. One activity you can do is research local tribes where you live, or in a place you visit. My child has African, European, and Native ancestry, so we talk about Columbus day and Thanksgiving with perspective. We talk about why school is off but it's not celebrated by everyone. We celebrate Thanksgiving, but also skip all the romantic notions/lies that I was taught. My child would not have existed if not for this world history, but at the same time, we can talk about what was right or wrong about the past. Also on questions: When my child asked why there are girls-only coding classes, I explained that some people *think* that girls can't code. We talked about why that might be, how it's not fair, and what we need to do to make safe spaces for people. On the questions "Can boys marry boys?" and "Can girls marry girls?" The answer is yes, love is love. The follow up is going to be "But how do they make babies?" And it's easy: "they get help!" This is actually how we ended up talking about adoption more broadly. Once your kid recognizes race, get the book "The Colors of Us." Wait, even better, make sure your kid has books that represent people of different races, religions, and cultures from day one. Net/net: Kids are smart and avoiding the difficult conversations only leads to preconceived notions later. — Even in Tribeca? Why, yes. on In the News: Tribeca Nanny Fired Because of Race

Governors Island Trust proposals are immensely out of proportion! Not sure a 316 foot tower (30 floors plus the 16 foot rise in the pedestal for resiliency) is required but its in the plan... No offense intended to NJ but the renderings of Governors Island remind me of getting off the ferry in Paulus Hook or Port Imperial. There is no contextual relevance to Governors Island. In 2015 the Gov't said that they wanted Govermor's Island to be developed as a public venue for exploration and discovery...the privatization of the land with office towers does not seem in line with any of those goals...and why are tall glass tower designs again? — TAMK on In the News: Harold’s Is No Longer a “Meat and Three”

Great article. This is going to be a wonderful addition to the Soho neighborhood. — J. Valach on A Brand-New Old-Fashioned Diner

"As important: share with your children that all people are equal and deserve to be treated fairly, regardless of skin color, religion, gender, sexual orientation." Words to live by! Well said. — Maryann on In the News: Tribeca Nanny Fired Because of Race

I think this story illuminates the casual racism that is rampant in our community especially as it relates to nannies. I was told by a well-meaning friend not to hire anyone from 'the islands' because they are lazy. When I did anyway (a wonderful hardworking 'islander'), I can't tell you how many times she had her picture taken in parks to 'report her' (to whom??) for the fact that one of my children fell off the monkey bars or some such nonsense. It happened so frequently that I had to put a letter in the stroller from me to hand women who felt entitled to tell my nanny how to do her job. These incidents would never have happened if she were white. There are a lot of well-meaning moms in this neighborhood who have no idea how racist their basic instincts are. Maybe we all do a little introspection. — Before You Cast A Stone on In the News: Tribeca Nanny Fired Because of Race

Amen. — Charles Komanoff on In the News: Tribeca Nanny Fired Because of Race

The family’s level of privilege is nauseating. “Plasco said that they didn’t owe her any more money because there was no contract, and that the suit is just “extortion.” “I’m not someone who has millions of dollars lying around to just pay off people that are coming after me for extortion. And now you’re playing straight into her hands,” fumed the banker, who once ran the UK’s biggest brokerage firm. “My wife was two months off having a baby, suffering from a very difficult situation. You’re going to go after someone like that? That’s not a very nice thing to do.” — A. on In the News: Tribeca Nanny Fired Because of Race

Im sure kids would love this, but as a Mom, its a nightmare to bring your kids to a park and not be able to see them as they play. This structure provides many hiding spaces. This kind of planning should be done along side of caretakers that have practical input. Its not all about look, or wow factor to be a success for kids. — Rose on The Fishy New Design for Pier 26’s Playground

The building was subsequently sold, and I think it's unlikely the store will reopen there or anywhere else. — Erik Torkells on Tent & Trails Will Close Temporarily

Thank you for writing this. — Heide Fasnacht on In the News: Tribeca Nanny Fired Because of Race

Hello! I totally agree with you. I have been going to Tents and Trails for over 20 years and was shocked to find it still closed (no sign when it will be opened) a few days ago. Do you by any chance know when it will open again or if it has already opened somewhere else? — Martha on Tent & Trails Will Close Temporarily

I am sorry but I must correct you Mr Guerra. The menus and strategy at Harold’s has changed at least 3X. I understand you have hired Keith to consult with your restaurant and bar concept. I am not a consultant, just a customer, and I can tell you the reason why you don’t see me as a repeat customer: the decor and the ever changing staff. It’s not the food or drinks that need changing. — Mrs M on In the News: Harold’s Is No Longer a “Meat and Three”

Hello Mrs M, This will be the first time we have made any changes to our concept since the opening in 2016. As for our menu please allow me to explain in a bit more detail on how we are moving away from the southern charm of comfort food on our menu which consisted of much more protein rich dishes and sides. To adding much more lighter fair and seasonal options that you would not have been on our menu before. Yes we have kept a couple of our top sellers on the menu for our loyal customers to be able to keep their favorites while giving a variety of new and different options that will appeal to all. We would love for to come in and try our new Menu. Also we have a great new cocktail and wine program that I am sure you would love. Sincerely, — Gene Guerra on In the News: Harold’s Is No Longer a “Meat and Three”

Re: "She's not racist. We're not racist people." This is pretty much the definition of racism. And don't be surprised about this. You don't need to wear hood and carry a torch to be racist. Nor is wealth or education an elixir. It happens every day, in ways little and big, in your neighborhood. I have heard Tribecans lament about how scared they were during black lives matters protests downtown. (Try being black - a hell of a lot scarier.) My husband was stopped by security numerous times when picking up our child at pre-school, as other men walked right past him. Our child has shared the xenophobic and racist sentiments from children as young as 4. No child is born racist. Where do you think they learn it? If you really want to be an ally, you need to call your friends out. At the holiday party. In the park. Over coffee. As important: share with your children that all people are equal and deserve to be treated fairly, regardless of skin color, religion, gender, sexual orientation. If you think that children shouldn't be bothered with this, that's straight up white privilege. If your child were black, s/he would know what discrimination is before starting school. So it's never too early, and yes, there is an age appropriate way to talk about it. Last, but not least, a good portion of Tribecans are in seats of power. They move money, they hire, they broker deals. So let that sink in. — Even in Tribeca? Why, yes. on In the News: Tribeca Nanny Fired Because of Race

I wish they would make Pier 26 all fields..With all the kids down here and pier 40 in jeopardy, our kids need to have more fields. Having our kid travel to Randell Island or marine park is crazy. And I think if they made it all fields they would be able to raise $$$. This is what the community really needs.. — toni on In the News: Tribeca Nanny Fired Because of Race