Spiffing Up Financial District Streets Ever since the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center, the streets of the Financial District, particularly around the New York Stock Exchange, have been ugly, rough terrain. Access and ease of use for pedestrians were sacrificed for security measures, such as pickup trucks and concrete barriers blocking key intersections, and unsightly metal barricades that restricted walkers to narrow paths. But an effort is under way to spruce up the streets and make life easier for people wandering Wall Street’s canyons—and help the small businesses that rely on those pedestrians—while preserving security. Last month, a black steel fence, designed to look like wrought iron and decorated with garlands, replaced the “bicycle-rack” barricades around the stock exchange and they were positioned to give pedestrians more room. Planters replaced concrete barriers. At a press conference in the middle of Broad Street last month, Mayor Spiffing Up Financial District Streets Bloomberg and Gov. Pataki also announced future steps in the Financial District’s $10 million facelift, which is being financed by the Lower Manhattan Development Corp. By spring, the pickup trucks will be replaced by more attractive metal bollards or retractable barriers. New lights will shine on historic building facades. And the city is considering creating a long fountain on Broad Street in front of the stock exchange. “It’s a real step forward,” said Carl Weisbrod, president of the Alliance for Downtown New York. “We have to address ways that we can maintain security while also maintaining civility.” Health Registry Forum An official from the city’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene will discuss the World Trade Center Health Registry at a forum on Dec. 4, 6–7 p.m., at the Downtown Information Center, 25 Broad St. Call 212-509-0300 ext. 11 or email info@ wallstreetrising.org to attend. Registry information is at www.wtcregistry.org. Arts & Crafts Sale at IPN Photographs, paintings, sculptures, crafts, jewelry and other artwork made by tenants at Independence Plaza North will be on view and for sale on Sunday, Dec. 7, 11 a.m–6 p.m, in the community room at 310 Greenwich St., 2nd floor. “Art Meets Crafts” is a fundraiser for the IPN Tenants Assoc. legal defense fund. Admission is $5, children under 12 free. Little League Sign-Up In-person registration for the Downtown Little League’s 2004 season takes place on two Saturdays, Dec. 6 and Dec. 13, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Manhattan Youth community center at 55 Warren St. Bring proof of age and address, and two self-addressed stamped envelopes, even for children who have played before. Kids ages 6–16 as of July 31 can play, and fees are $80 for one child, $140 for two. For information go to www.downtownlittleleague.org Musicians Wanted Woodwind, brass and percussion musicians of all ages are sought for a new community band, TriBattery Pops, that hopes to begin performing next summer in Washington Market Park and Rockefeller Park. The group will perform marching band music, songs from musicals, Beatles tunes and contemporary pop. Auditions will start in January. Call Church Street School for Music and Art, 212-571-7290. Coat and Toy Drives The annual New York Cares coat drive is collecting gently used adult and children’s coats all this month to give to the needy. Coats can be dropped off at the 1st Precinct at 6 Ericsson Pl., the Janovic Plaza store at 136 Church St., or the Washington Mutual bank at the corner of Broadway and Chambers Street. Wall Street Rising’s Downtown Information Center, at 25 Broad St., is collecting new, unwrapped toys for the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys For Tots program. Toys can be dropped off Monday through Friday, 11 a.m.–7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m.–4 p.m., through Dec. 22. Arts Club Launched Close to 100 culture vultures, most of them Downtown residents, artists and businesspeople, attended a party on Nov. 20 to launch the Downtown Arts Club. The group, seeking to promote arts and culture in Lower Manhattan, plans to organize social events, support existing Downtown cultural activities and create new ones, including a “Beaux Arts Ball” in late winter and “Downtown Bart,” a series of art exhibitions in local bars. For information, go to www.downtownartsclub.com. The party was hosted by the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council. Food and Theater Harold Pinter’s “Ashes to Ashes” will be performed Tues. to Sun. from Dec. 3 through Dec. 21, at 8 p.m., at Walkerspace, 46 Walker St., preceded by appetizers served by Culinary Institute of America alumni chefs. Tickets are $50 and proceeds benefit Amusé, a literary magazine produced by Culinary Institute students. For tickets: www.smarttix.com or 212-868-4444.