Hudson River oysters: For several months now, work barges and cranes of various sizes and configurations have been parked in the Tribeca section of the Hudson River next to what was once Pier 32. The broken pilings of that old pier were long ago taken over by double-crested cormorants and by a variety of gulls who rested on them in between foraging expeditions. But these days, most of the birds have fled. The barges and cranes, hired by the Hudson River Park Trust, have prevailed. A spokesperson for the HRPT explained that the "Tribeca Habitat Enhancements work includes installing gabions seeded with oysters and textured concreted piles in the Pier 32 pile field. The goal here is to install a variety of features in the river and river bottom to create improved habitat for oysters and fish. The work is currently still under way." Repeated requests for additional information have gone unanswered. A "gabion," by the way, is a wirework container filled with rock, broken concrete, or other material used in the construction of such structures as dams and retaining walls. (Photos: © Terese Loeb Kreuzer)

"One Wall Street’s Residential Conversion And Retail Addition Wraps Up In Financial District, Manhattan," NewYorkYIMBY.com, 11/16/2021. "Work is wrapping up on One Wall Street, the largest office-to-residential conversion project in New York City’s history," says New York YIMBY. "Developed by Macklowe Properties, the 90-year-old, 564-foot-tall Art Deco building is undergoing a 21st century restoration and overhaul that will yield 566 new residential units, a 44,000-square-foot Whole Foods Market, and a four-floor 75,000-square-foot Life Time fitness center on the lower levels of the Financial District property. At the top of the mid-century annex is a multi-story addition that was designed by SLCE Architects. Compass Development Marketing Group is handling sales and marketing for the homes with the help of a sales gallery located within the Red Room on the ground floor. One Wall Street is bound by Broadway and Trinity Church to the west, Wall Street to the north, Exchange Place to the south, and New Street to the east." For the complete article, click here.

"Eagles, Beavers, Sea Turtles: Why N.Y.C. Is Humming With Wildlife," New York Times, 10/28/2021. "Adrian Benepe has spent much of his life promoting the outdoors in New York City, from serving as a park ranger in the 1970s to becoming the parks commissioner some 30 years later. Still, he is stunned at what he has seen around town lately," The New York Times reports. Benepe is now the president of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. The Times quotes him as saying that he grew up in the parks. “There were never red-tailed hawks or Peregrine falcons or bald eagles. You didn’t even see raccoons; there were pigeons and rats and squirrels, that was it. Now there are bald eagles all over the city. This winter they were in places you haven’t seen them in generations, and they were hunting in Prospect Park.” According to The Times, "Raptors are the tip of the iceberg. There have been bats and endangered butterflies, wild and rare native bees; a coyote in Central Park; beavers, salamanders and leopard frogs in Staten Island; a bobcat, mink and several foxes in the Bronx, along with endangered alewife herring and American eels traversing fish ladders in the Bronx River while hungry osprey and egrets lurk nearby; large wild oysters and tiny sea horses at piers along the Hudson River; baby damselflies, the world’s most endangered sea turtles and a baby seal in Queens; and exotic insects not seen in decades in Brooklyn." For the complete article, click here.

"TriBeCa Gallery Guide: New York’s Most Vibrant Art Scene," New York Times, 10/28/2021. "Galleries have been moving to TriBeCa for a good five years, but the migration has finally hit critical mass," says The New York Times. "As everyone from tiny new project spaces to the blue-chip titan David Zwirner floods in, this cast-iron and cobblestone neighborhood in Manhattan — south of Canal, north of Vesey and west of Broadway — is no longer just one option of many. For any New York-area gallery that needs to move or is opening another branch, TriBeCa is now the most exciting place to show contemporary art — the destination that has to be considered. There are now at least 41 galleries in TriBeCa," says The Times, "compared with fewer than 20 galleries two years, and still more are set to move in. It’s not just because a savvy real estate broker found a cache of dormant retail spaces, either. Rather, the neighborhood’s layout and architecture — an endearing mix of sudden broad vistas, quiet nooks and river views — offer the perfect compromise between the art world’s romantic 1960s conception of itself and its current professionalized reality." For the complete article, click here.

BPCA's outdoor Adult Art programs end this week. Saturday's Drawing in the Park on Nov. 20 will wrap-up the outdoor season. This is also the last week to submit artwork for the BPCA 2022 Annual Art Exhibition. Bring art work to the class, where an art instructor will explain the submission process. For more information about future art classes and about the annual art exhibition, go to www.bpca.ny.gov. (Photo: Terese Loeb Kreuzer)

Vaccination for children?: At the present time, only the Pfizer vaccine is authorized for children, aged 5 to 11 years old. Children can get vaccinated at their doctor’s office, pharmacies and at vaccine sites across the city.

Booster shots are now available for all New Yorkers, 18 years old and older who received their second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine at least six months ago, or one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine at least two months ago. The booster shot can be any of the three authorized or approved vaccines. To find a booster vaccination site, go to nyc.gov/vaccinefinder and choose your preferred brand from the "Any Vaccine" drop-down menu.

Are booster shots free? Yes. Booster shots are free to anyone who is eligible to receive one. People with insurance may be billed but will not be charged an administration fee or any other fee.

In-home vaccination is now available to any New Yorker who requests one. Vaccine brand preference can be requested. Go to nyc.gov/homevaccine or call 877-829-4692 to request an in-home appointment.

Free transportation to and from a vaccination site is available to City residents who are 65 and older. To schedule free transportation by either ambulette or taxi (including wheelchair accessible vehicles) call 877-829-4692. Those younger than 18 must have their parent or guardian call to book the trip on their behalf.

Immunocompromised New Yorkers who are 12 years old or older and who received either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine can now get a third dose as part of their initial vaccination series at most vaccine sites (City-run sites, doctor’s offices, community health centers, hospitals, pharmacies). Immunocompromised people vaccinated with Johnson & Johnson can’t yet get a second shot. The third dose should be administered at least 28 days after the second dose. It should be of the same vaccine brand as the first two doses, if possible.

People with disabilities can get help making a vaccination appointment at an accessible site, traveling to and from their appointment and getting their shot. To make these arrangements, call 855-491-2667 or do it through the City's online appointment scheduler. Recognized disabilities may include seeing or hearing; thinking or concentrating; speaking; use of arms; taking care of daily chores; coping with feelings of sadness or anxiety; getting around; and climbing stairs. Email hubaccess@health.nyc.gov for more information.

Lower Manhattan Jump Start program: The Alliance for Downtown New York in partnership with the consultancy Streetsense has created a free program to help new retailers and restaurants get started in Lower Manhattan. Businesses accepted into the program will receive four interactive sessions with Streetsense tailored to the needs of each business but broadly dealing with physical operations, digital marketing, public relations and e-commerce. The package of consultancy services has an estimated value of $10,000 per award. To be eligible for the program a business must have a signed lease or letter of intent dated on or after July 1, 2021 for a storefront commercial lease in Lower Manhattan. The lease must be for at least one year. The location can't be open at the time of application and must be an independent business with no more than five locations in New York City, including the new one. For more information about the program and to apply, click here.

Governors Island ferry access: Access to Governors Island is by ferry, with timed ticket reservations required. Ferries run daily from the Battery Maritime Building at 10 South St. in Lower Manhattan. The ferries are always free for kids 12 and under, for seniors 65 and up, for residents of NYCHA housing, for military servicemembers, Governors Island members, and for everyone on weekends before noon. Starting later this year, NYC Ferry will serve Governors Island daily via the South Brooklyn route. A launch date for this expanded service will be announced soon. NYC Ferry's shuttle from Wall Street/Pier 11 to Yankee Pier on Governors Island will continue on weekends until the launch of 7-day/week service along the South Brooklyn route. NYC Ferry riders on any line that makes stops at Wall Street/Pier 11 may transfer to a shuttle service to Governors Island on Saturdays and Sundays. Governors Island weekend ferry service from Brooklyn (Pier 6 in Brooklyn Bridge Park and Atlantic Basin in Red Hook) is currently not in service and will return in Spring, 2022. The first ferry to Governors Island from 10 South St. leaves at 7 a.m. The last ferry from Governors Island leaves at 6 p.m. Learn more about Governors Island ferries and book tickets by clicking here.

Lower Manhattan Greenmarkets: There are Lower Manhattan Greenmarkets in Tribeca (at Chambers and Greenwich Streets) and at Bowling Green, City Hall, the Oculus and the Staten Island ferry. GrowNYC asks that shoppers wear a face covering inside the market space and maintain a six-foot distance between themselves, Greenmarket staff, farm stand employees and other customers. Dogs and bicycles should be left at home.

Click here for a list of the fruits and vegetables now in season.