By Kelly Rush, Downtown Alliance Among the cracks in the pavement, beyond terraced rows of glass and rebar, sunshine, speckled more from the patterns of buildings than from trees, finds its way to open spaces. A dirt path meanders through a miniature forest in one such space that is surrounded on all sides by steel; 
We’ve rated some of the most popular and well-regarded downtown ice cream joints. But we want our readers to tell us – which one is the absolute best 
by Adel Manoukian Designer duds retailer Daffy’s is closing all of its 12 NYC locations in the upcoming months. Spokesperson Michael McMullan released the news earlier this week to the Associated Press that the 51-year old chain has been going through much financial turmoil, having competition from similar chains, like Marshalls and TJ Maxx. Other 
Heidi Klum strutted her red-soled heels to an NYC Barnes & Noble book signing last Friday for the release of Project Runway: The Show That Changed Fashion. And what better time to introduce the print than just days before the Lifetime Project Runway Season 10 premiere set to air on July 19th! A glowing Klum arrived 
Need a hot place to cool off with your kids this summer? Look no further–here are the city’s sweetest spots for the iciest treats. Coolest Drink: Neelys Barbeque Parlor neelysbbqparlor.com Opened by Food Network stars Pat and Gina Neely, Neely’s has the coolest, wackiest kids drinks on the menu. Our fave is the Fish Bowl–ginger 
The Cooper Square Committee and the Ali Forney Center were awarded $3 million by the city council and an additional $300,000 by Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer last week to transform a vacant and three-story building on 13th Street into a shelter for homeless lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youths. “Homeless LGBT youth, most of 
by Adel Manoukian It’s a cupcake re-imagined. Classically trained chef Brooke Siem and longtime baker and bartender Leslie Feinberg are the creative minds behind Prohibition Bakery that serves customers alcoholically flavored artisan cupcakes like Margarita and Mojito. Their new-age cupcakes are based off of what flavors compliment each different type of alcohol. For example, the 
