Month: August 2012

Upper West Siders have a funny way of reacting to rats. It brings out our theatrical side. The "rat house" on 74th street inspired art. A construction site at 52 West 76th Street, however, is now inspiring anew kind of civic protest.

Five years ago, I joined a softball team called the Consenting Adults. They were in their 23rd year of existence, with colorful characters who were writers, psychologists, teachers, and gifted softball players. They gave me

On Friday from about 1 a.m. until 6 a.m., the Upper West Side and Central Park will be sprayed with pesticides to kill mosquitoes that may be carrying West Nile Virus, according to the city Department of Health. "The borders of the Manhattan spray area will be West 97th Street ...

When I started to research the Rice Mansion at 89th Street and Riverside Drive, it was the bricks and mortar that drew me to it. I was seduced by the looks of such a beautiful old mansion, one of only two that remain standing as a reminder of the glory ...

A fire broke out on Tuesday morning in a fourth floor apartment at 316 West 95th Street, where a new homeless shelter opened a few weeks ago over community opposition. The fire was apparently sparked by a cigarette that lit a mattress ablaze, DNAinfo reported. It was not clear if ...

By Stan Solomon Hey, you! Yes, you, busy UWSer – have you ever felt, as you rushed about this place, that somebody…or something…was watching you? Now, don’t get all paranoid and start scanning for black helicopters over Broadway or holding aloft an always-open black umbrella! We’re not talking about surveillance ...

By Tracy Kaler As I walk South on Broadway, I always know how many blocks I have left until I reach Zabar’s without ever looking at a street sign. I see the crowds of pedestrians ahead, the commotion and energy as I approach the store, and when I reach West ...

This week, West Side Rag has a special treat for readers, as we post pieces from our columnists. Look for them starting  today.

Machiavelli, a restaurant on Columbus Avenue and 85th Street that's known for its Florentine-inspired paintings and traditional Northern Italian food, was shut down by the health

August 24, 2012 Weather: Mostly Cloudy, High of 86 Degrees.

Second Time Around, a chain of consignment shops that opened an Upper West Side location last year, is expanding again. The store plans to open a new 2,000-square-foot shop at 238 West 72nd Street by the end of the year, Crain's reported. That space used to house a stationary store, ...

August 23, 2012 Weather: Partly Cloudy, High of 84 Degrees.

August 22, 2012 Weather: Partly Cloudy, High of 80 Degrees.

Traffic could be a mess today as Michael Jordan, Patrick Ewing and other NBA greats host a fundraiser for President Obama at the Time Warner Center. More than 100 people reportedly paid $20,000 to attend the event. The President is expected to arrive in New York around 6 p.m. Update: ...

Rookie USA, a sporting goods store for kids, opened its doors today at 808 Columbus Avenue (99th Street) in the Columbus Square development. The new 7,000-square foot store (plus 2,200-square-foot basement)  sells apparel and footwear from Nike, Converse, and Levi's. RookieUSA is a new brand and the Upper West Side ...

August 21, 2012 Weather: Partly Cloudy, High of 83 Degrees

Alouette, a French bistro on 97th Street and Broadway, will close its doors for good on August 30, because the owners couldn't keep up with high taxes and rent. The writing was on the wall last month, as the restaurant sold more than 880 Groupon discounts, selling $92 meals for ...

For the tenth straight year, the Central Park Conservancy will show films this week on the sloping lawn just North of Sheep Meadow and South of the 72nd Street crossing road in the middle of the park. The theme of this year's film festival is "cult classics" and it will ...

August 20, 2012 Weather: Partly Cloudy, High of 77 Degrees.

Mario Gourmet Deli, at the corner of 106th and Amsterdam, was shut down this week by the health department, and was still closed as of Sunday morning. Mario's has been