https://www.westsidespirit.com/news/nyc-families-struggle-with-late-summer-childcare-due-to-later-school-year-start-MA6147925 hourly The Spirit - Westsider en 2026-08-30T14:00:23-04:00 NYC Families Struggle With Late-Summer Childcare Due to Later School Year Start https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/screenshot-2026-08-27-115611_4-11041812_20260827120151.png Not in NYC: Of the top 20 school districts in the U.S., 19 have resumed classes for the current school year. New York City does not resume classes until Sept. 10. That places a burden on parents who need to find childcare for the three weeks between the end of most summer programs and the start of the academic year. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/starting-school_4-11040668_20260827120155.jpg The Sept. 10 school start date start leaves many working NYC parents struggling to cover weeks of costly childcare gaps. https://www.westsidespirit.com/news/gov-kathy-hochul-says-hello-to-upper-west-side-at-farmers-markets-GX6154800 hourly The Spirit - Westsider en 2026-08-31T10:34:31-04:00 Gov. Kathy Hochul Says Hello to Upper West Side at Farmers’ Markets https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/img-7770_4-11051910_20260830173649.jpg Gov. Kathy Hochul made campaign stops at two farmers’ markets on the Upper West Side. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/img-7903_4-11051937_20260830175856.jpg Gov. Hochul visits with the Katz family as Jacob Katz shows off his live drawing of the day. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/img-7785_4-11051913_20260830173655.jpg Gov. Hochul complimented a supporter repping a Zohran Mamdani campaign shirt at the 79th Street Greenmarket. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/img-7889_4-11051916_20260830173700.jpg Kristin Doney showed Gov. Hochul her upcoming children's book about New York. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/img-7854_4-11051919_20260830173704.jpg Dara Lehon shows off Dolly Parton art by Natalie Katz which proclaimed, “It costs a lot of money to look this cheap.” https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/img-7935_4-11051925_20260830173712.jpg (from left) State Assembly member Micah Lasher, Bazaar Executive Director Dara Lehon, Gov. Kathy Hochul and City Council member Gale Brewer pose for a photo together. https://www.westsidespirit.com/food-drink/sarabeth-s-long-beloved-for-brunch-closes-two-restaurants-BX6154366 hourly The Spirit - Westsider en 2026-08-31T11:25:32-04:00 Sarabeth’s, Long Beloved for Brunch, Closes Two Restaurants https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/sarabeth-s-381-park-ave-south_4-11051629_20260831111226.jpg The 45-year-old restaurant chain Sarabeth’s that started as a jam making operation in an apartment on the Upper West Side shut down its 381 Park Ave. South location (above) and its Greenwich Village location on Aug. 16 https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/sarabeth-s-french-toast_4-11054052_20260831111226.jpg The Sarabeth’s chain serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, but it was perhaps most famous for its French toast and pancakes. It is credited with making brunch popular long before it was a NYC “thing.” Now two of its four locations have closed. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/sarabeths-sign_4-11051592_20260830135037.jpg Sarabeth’s served its last meals at two of its outlets–one at 381 Park Ave. South and aGreenwich Village location at 100 W. Houston St.–on Aug. 16 https://www.westsidespirit.com/news/fury-at-chinatown-jail-locals-warn-of-danger-city-set-to-build-CB6146646 hourly The Spirit - Westsider en 2026-08-31T11:51:46-04:00 Fury at Chinatown Jail: Locals Warn of Danger, City Set to Build https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/fury-at-chinatown-jail-centre-baxter_4-11051540_20260830113331.webp Fury at Chinatown Jail as city’s own engineering report notes the difficulties of building on the site. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/fury-at-chinatown-jail-white-street_4-11051542_20260830113332.webp Fury at Chinatown Jail as city’s own engineering report notes the difficulties of building on the site. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/fury-at-chinatown-jail-map_4-11051544_20260830113333.webp Fury at Chinatown Jail as city’s own engineering report notes the difficulties of building on the site. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/fury-at-chinatown-jail-rendering_4-11051546_20260830113333.webp Fury at Chinatown Jail as city’s own engineering report notes the difficulties of building on the site. https://www.westsidespirit.com/features/healthy-manhattan/song-birds-really-can-chase-the-blues-away-EG6118314 hourly The Spirit - Westsider en 2026-08-31T12:45:28-04:00 Song Birds Really Can Chase the Blues Away https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/cardinal-pexels_4-11016412_20260817121921.jpg The northern cardinal is a rarity in that both the male and female can sign. They are known for a variety of whistles and trills. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/ny-bird-alliance_4-11020250_20260818143458.jpg The NY Bird Alliance, a local conservation group says that over 500 species of birds can be found right here in NYC. And not surprisingly, it says bird watching is good for your mental health. https://www.westsidespirit.com/city-arts/trust-in-the-original-intelligence-says-author-behind-new-book-on-flowers-KY6122693 hourly The Spirit - Westsider en 2026-08-31T12:56:19-04:00 Trust in the “Original Intelligence” Says Author Behind New Book on Flowers https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/unnamed_4-11019806_20260818163402.jpg Flower historian and veteran journalist Jill Brooke photographed with her third and newest book, “The Genius of Flowers,” alongside some of Brooke’s blooms. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/screenshot-2026-08-18-at-2-10-50-pm_4-11020239_20260818163403.png On page 221, Brooke explores flowers and conflict resolution. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/screenshot-2026-08-18-at-2-11-01-pm_4-11020242_20260818163404.png On page 269, Brooke offers nature-based family activities. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/unnamed_4-11020236_20260818163406.jpg “The Genius of Flowers” cover. https://www.westsidespirit.com/news/lirr-south-fork-fixes-include-direct-penn-station-to-montauk-train-BC6150663 hourly The Spirit - Westsider en 2026-08-31T13:14:13-04:00 LIRR South Fork Fixes Include Direct Penn Station to Montauk Train https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/long-island-rail-road-south-fork-fixe_4-11048595_20260828120207.jpg Long Island Railroad Station South Fork fixes will improve service to Montauk. Starting in September, there will be direct service all year long from Penn Station to Montauk on one train per day. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/old-montauk-lirr-station-art-gallery_4-11048174_20260828112223.jpg The historic old LIRR station at Montauk has been converted into an art gallery. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/long-island-rail-raod-south-fork-mont_4-11048602_20260828120423.jpg Long Island Rail Road South Fork fixes will include a daily through train from Penn Station to Montauk, eliminating any changes along the way.