July 2008 - The new Thompson LES Hotel missed its July 15 deadline to open on Allen Street on the Lower East Side. Around the corner from Stanton Street, the hotel promises a rooftop pool with an Andy Warhol mural in mosaic on the pool floor. Andy would have been so proud. Will we finally get to see Moby in swim trunks hanging out here on the roof?

July 2008 - In the past year, many artist galleries have opened up on the lower east side. Among them: Envoy (131 Chrystie Street online at www.envoygallery.com). Checkout the Google Map created by Jen Bekman Gallery, at www.boweryartsdistrict.com. Have a Sunday afternoon free? Come on down. Try this one: Sunday L.E.S. (237 Eldridge Street; www.sundaynyc.com). A friendly gallery is Luxe (53 Stanton Street; www.luxegallery.net). Find the red door and the two shar peis near the Buddhist storefront of the Woodward Gallery (133 Eldridge Street; www.woodwardgallery.net) which deals with the heavyweights: Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring. Finish your day off on Stanton Street, number 53 at the Smith-Stewart gallery (53 Stanton Street; www.smith-stewart.com). Enjoy!