West Side Rag
  • TOP NEWS
  • OPEN/CLOSED
  • FOOD
  • SCHOOLS
  • OUTDOORS
  • REAL ESTATE
  • ART & CULTURE
  • POLITICS
  • COLUMNS
  • CRIME
  • HISTORY
  • ABSURDITY
  • ABOUT US
    • OUR STORY
    • CONTRIBUTORS
    • CONTACT
West Side Rag
No Result
View All Result
SUPPORT THE RAG

Search the site

No Result
View All Result
Get WSR FREE in your inbox
SUPPORT THE RAG

TWO DOCUMENTARIES TAKE ON UNIQUE UWS SUBJECTS: ALTERNATE-SIDE PARKING AND CHRISTMAS TREE GUYS

October 19, 2015 | 8:45 PM - Updated on October 20, 2015 | 12:16 PM
in NEWS
9

Screen Shot 2015-10-19 at 8.45.07 PM

Two new documentaries filmed on the Upper West Side cover topics that Upper West Siders know very well: the travails of people who move their car for alternate-side parking, and the charm of some of the longtime tree-sellers who descend on our neighborhood every winter.

Ernie Fritz, a local who regularly helps us out with news items and photos, made a short documentary about parking: “I recently finished a short (14 minutes), humorous documentary about Alternate Side of the Street Parking. It’s tilted ‘Don’t Even Think of Parking Here.’  My short film takes place entirely here on the Upper West Side. The film was shot primarily last fall and early winter.” One of his interviewees says the meter maids “stalk you!”

Ernie’s shopping the film to various festivals, and we wish him good luck. Check out the trailer below:

Another documentary made by Upper West Siders Jon Reiner and Brad Rothschild takes a look at a “Tree Man” named Francois who sells Christmas trees on 102nd street and Broadway. It will get its U.S. premiere at the St. Lawrence Film Festival this Friday and Sunday and come to New York’s documentary festival on Nov. 16.

“TREE MAN follows Francois, a Christmas tree seller who’s been working the same corner in the Upper West Side for decades. Every year he leaves his home and family in Quebec to deliver the magic of the season to New Yorkers 500 miles away.

TREE MAN explores Francois’ journey and the relationships that sustain him – with his customers, employees and the people of his adopted neighborhood. While he may sell trees for a living, it is his role as the neighborhood Tree Man that draws the community closer together and gives meaning to his grueling month far from home.”

We published a story by Jon about Francois here. Upper West Siders can watch the documentary at a special screening next month.

Screening: Monday, Nov. 23, 7:00 PM
Goddard Riverside Community Center’s Bernie Wohl Center
647 Columbus Avenue (at 92nd St.)

There will also be a screening on Dec. 8 at the JCC, and it’s expected to be available on iTunes by the holidays..

The video below features Francois:

Share this article:
SUPPORT THE RAG
guest

guest

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

9 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Margaret
Margaret
9 years ago

Sounds great. Looking forward to Tree Man!

0
Reply
dannyboy
dannyboy
9 years ago

Thanks. I just marked my calendar with “Move Car” for Thursday. Kinda’ takes over.

0
Reply
Aaron Finkel
Aaron Finkel
9 years ago

I’ve seen Tree Man. It’s amazing. It’ll make you smile and maybe even shed a tear or two. Congrats to Jon and Brad for showing us the people behind those selling Christmas trees.

0
Reply
Jason
Jason
9 years ago

I have a great idea for the people who don’t like spending two days/week sitting in their car, GET A JOB!!

0
Reply
dannyboy
dannyboy
9 years ago
Reply to  Jason

Jason, this is analogous to telling people who don’t like their job to SIT IN A CAR two days/ week!

see that?

0
Reply
kitkat
kitkat
9 years ago

FABULOUS videos : ) BRAVO

0
Reply
Lulu
Lulu
9 years ago

Looking forward to the two docs!

0
Reply
Mark
Mark
9 years ago

I wish the city would get rid of all free street parking. Want a car? Pay for parking. Imagine how nice the streets could be and how well traffic would move if the streets weren’t cluttered with parked cars. And imagine not having to subsidize parking for people with cars.

0
Reply
Olive
Olive
9 years ago

This movie is a great way to showcase the pain of parking. Our company Valet Anywhere look forward to do some collaboration with Ernie Fritz. 🙂
#UberforParking

0
Reply

YOU MIGHT LIKE...

‘Rebel With a Clause’ Is a Love Letter—to Grammar and the Upper West Side
ART

‘Rebel With a Clause’ Is a Love Letter—to Grammar and the Upper West Side

June 16, 2025 | 1:53 PM
Here’s the UWS Dish: Raenu Thai’s Beef Salad
COLUMNS

Here’s the UWS Dish: Raenu Thai’s Beef Salad

June 16, 2025 | 8:15 AM
Previous Post

MORNING BULLETIN: RATS RUN AMOK, BALD EAGLE SIGHTING, ANOTHER REZONING IDEA

Next Post

OPENINGS & CLOSINGS: COLUMBUS FLAME, ORGANIC AVENUE, THEORY, JOONEECHEES, WINE4EVER

this week's events image
Next Post
OPENINGS & CLOSINGS: COLUMBUS FLAME, ORGANIC AVENUE, THEORY, JOONEECHEES, WINE4EVER

OPENINGS & CLOSINGS: COLUMBUS FLAME, ORGANIC AVENUE, THEORY, JOONEECHEES, WINE4EVER

WEST SIDE RAG IS LOOKING FOR WRITERS

WEST SIDE RAG IS LOOKING FOR WRITERS

GOTHAM FOOD TO CLOSE THIS SUMMER AFTER 44 YEARS

SPIKE IN VACANCIES INDICATES THE RENT IS TOO DAMN HIGH ON COLUMBUS AVENUE

  • ABOUT US
  • CONTACT US
  • NEWSLETTER
  • WSR MERCH!
  • ADVERTISE
  • EVENTS
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • TERMS OF USE
  • SITE MAP
Site design by RLDGROUP

© 2025 West Side Rag | All rights reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • TOP NEWS
  • THIS WEEK’S EVENTS
  • OPEN/CLOSED
  • FOOD
  • SCHOOLS
  • OUTDOORS
  • REAL ESTATE
  • ART & CULTURE
  • POLITICS
  • COLUMNS
  • CRIME
  • HISTORY
  • ABSURDITY
  • ABOUT
    • OUR STORY
    • CONTRIBUTORS
    • CONTACT US
  • WSR SHOP

© 2025 West Side Rag | All rights reserved.