https://www.westsidespirit.com/news/bethesda-fountain-restoration-now-underway-in-central-park-BD6126012 hourly The Spirit - Westsider en 2026-08-19T16:36:45-04:00 Bethesda Fountain Restoration Now Underway in Central Park https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/screenshot-2026-08-19-at-12-57-02-pm_4-11022497_20260819130817.png Bethesda Fountain from atop Bethesda Terrace, featuring the beginnings of construction and a handful of construction workers. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/screenshot-2026-08-19-at-12-46-14-pm_4-11022393_20260819130825.png Bethesda Fountain as photographed recently by the Conservancy; construction crews were not yet on site, but the water was already shut off. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/screenshot-2026-08-19-at-12-48-00-pm_4-11022501_20260819130832.png Bethesda Fountain photographed in 1915. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/screenshot-2026-08-19-at-12-57-18-pm_4-11022504_20260819130834.png Another angle of the construction, featuring New Yorkers and visitors walking or kayaking in the surrounding areas as normal. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/screenshot-2026-08-19-at-12-57-10-pm_4-11022507_20260819130840.png A peek inside the circular area closed off for construction. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/screenshot-2026-08-19-at-12-46-42-pm_4-11022510_20260819130850.png “Angel of the Waters” photographed close up by the Conservancy. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/screenshot-2026-08-19-at-12-47-50-pm_4-11022513_20260819130854.png Bethesda Fountain photographed circa 1873, the year the fountain was dedicated. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/screenshot-2026-08-19-at-12-57-28-pm_4-11022516_20260819130856.png Informational posters detailing the restoration, its timeline and donors can be found around the site. https://www.westsidespirit.com/news/mta-studies-how-to-channel-subway-heat-into-downtown-buildings-HH6108988 hourly The Spirit - Westsider en 2026-08-19T16:46:37-04:00 MTA Studies How to Channel Subway Heat Into Downtown Buildings https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/55455529414-72042e8b9b-k_4-11001703_20260812163848.jpg The MTA hopes to one day create a “thermal energy network” that would radically cool off the interconnected Chambers Street and Brooklyn-Bridge City Hall subway stations. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/55454374412-03ea34ff23-k_4-11001708_20260812163849.jpg An $800,000 feasibility study on such a “thermal energy system” at the Lower Manhattan station is underway, with Mayor Zohran Mamdani (above) needing to cool off during an August 10 presser held there. https://www.westsidespirit.com/home/as-mamdani-targets-amazon-delivery-protection-act-sparks-debate-GH6108558 hourly The Spirit - Westsider en 2026-08-19T17:36:54-04:00 As Mamdani Targets Amazon, ‘Delivery Protection Act’ Sparks Debate https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/amazon-delivery-jpg-11022731-11022731_4-11022731_20260819140159.jpg Amazon subcontracts around 5,000 delivery workers in New York City. A new Mamdani-backed bill could require that the company directly employs them. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/amazon-driver_4-11023513_20260819172747.jpg While they wear a vest with Amazon colors and drive trucks with Amazon Prime on it, the drivers are not technically Amazon employees. https://www.westsidespirit.com/home/central-synagogue-attacker-charged-with-federal-hate-crimes-too-FD6126733 hourly The Spirit - Westsider en 2026-08-19T17:38:37-04:00 Central Synagogue Attacker Charged with Federal Hate Crimes Too https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/e-55-st-oct-2023-22_4-11023540_20260819173418.jpg A Bronx resident has been hit with new federal hate crimes charges in connection with his August 14 attack on Central Synagogue, prosecutors announced on August 18. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/hp3d5ipxkaaq1pt-4-11018119-2026081716_4-11023488_20260819173418.webp Larry Montes reportedly punched an elderly worshipper and hurled a racial slur at a security guard during the attack. The NYPD said that Montes told them about being motivated by antisemitic and anti-Black sentiment. https://www.westsidespirit.com/news/karen-s-quirky-new-york-finds-a-lifethyme-of-organics-GD6126899 hourly The Spirit - Westsider en 2026-08-19T17:47:40-04:00 Karen’s Quirky New York Finds a LifeThyme of Organics https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/1-karen-s-quirky-new-york-aug-2026_4-11023509_20260819173458.jpg Karen Rempel offers a selection of LifeThyme’s enticing produce. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/2-karen-s-quirky-new-york-aug-2026_4-11023519_20260819173458.jpg Luscious produce beckons at LifeThyme Natural Market at 410 6th Ave. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/3-karen-s-quirky-new-york-aug-2026_4-11023522_20260819173459.jpg Karen Rempel’s basket overflows with fresh fruits and vegetables. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/4-karen-s-quirky-new-york-aug-2026_4-11023525_20260819173459.jpg LifeThyme Natural Market’s hot and cold salad bar does the cooking for you. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/5-karen-s-quirky-new-york-aug-2026_4-11023528_20260819173500.jpg Long-time LifeThyme employees Joe and Christina always make customers feel welcome. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/6-karen-s-quirky-new-york-aug-2026_4-11023531_20260819173500.jpg Karen Rempel’s favorite prepared dinner from LifeThyme Natural Market. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/7-karen-s-quirky-new-york-aug-2026_4-11023534_20260819173500.jpg Little white rabbit inspects Karen Rempel’s basket of goodies at LifeThyme. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/8-karen-s-quirky-new-york-aug-2026_4-11023537_20260819173501.jpg LifeThyme Natural Market under construction at 408 and 410 6th Ave. in 1995. https://www.westsidespirit.com/sponsored-content/how-to-successfully-switch-to-your-own-business-email-MJ6128079 hourly The Spirit - Westsider en 2026-08-20T11:54:36-04:00 How to Successfully Switch to Your Own Business Email https://www.westsidespirit.com/news/fans-mourn-passing-of-local-musician-after-fatal-usps-hit-and-run-FE6125645 hourly The Spirit - Westsider en 2026-08-20T14:44:07-04:00 Fans Mourn Passing of Local Musician After Fatal USPS Hit-and-Run https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/screenshot-2026-08-20-at-12-06-29-pm_4-11024983_20260820121359.png NYC residents are mourning local music scene legend Chester “Chet” Mazur (far right) after a fatal hit-and-run by a USPS truck driver killed the 66-year-old Aug. 8. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/screenshot-2026-08-20-at-12-07-12-pm_4-11024984_20260820121407.png Mazur (center right) was a vocalist for local band The Rasslers. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/ap26105187727025_4-11022088_20260820105343.jpg A USPS driver has since been charged for fleeing the scene and is set to go to trial Sept. 25. https://www.westsidespirit.com/news/vornado-seeks-zoning-exceptions-for-new-penn-station-entrance-HD6126449 hourly The Spirit - Westsider en 2026-08-20T15:58:39-04:00 Vornado Seeks Zoning Exceptions for New Penn Station Entrance https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/screenshot-2026-08-20-at-12-41-50-pm_4-11025447_20260820124720.png A view overlooking the vacant lot located at the northeast corner of 8th Avenue and 34th Street, on which Vornado plans to build a 38-story mixed-use tower, incorporating the existing entrance to 34th Street–Penn Station into the tower’s ground floor. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/subway-entrance_4-11027144_20260820155235.jpg The subway entrance (above left) that Vornado wants to install into the base of an officer tower it seeks to erect at 484 Eighth Ave. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/484-8th-avenue-5-area-map_4-11023365_20260819170918.png A map included in Vornado’s application to waive zoning regulations depicts the Midtown blocks in question. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/screenshot-2026-08-19-at-5-07-06-pm_4-11023495_20260819170923.png The proposed subway entryway, featuring the requested extra steps and resized landing. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/screenshot-2026-08-19-at-5-07-23-pm_4-11023498_20260819170924.png A map of the intersection, featuring an outline of the current entryway. https://www.westsidespirit.com/news/ice-arrests-captain-of-capsized-liberty-island-boat-that-killed-mom-and-infant-FJ6128007 hourly The Spirit - Westsider en 2026-08-20T16:57:38-04:00 ICE Arrests Captain of Capsized Liberty Island Boat That Killed Mom and Infant https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/ap26222764548568_4-11024477_20260820153855.jpg Manuel Hernandez was arrested by ICE after a Coast Guard investigation found him to be in the US illegally. Hernandez was the captain of a boat that capsized, leading to the deaths of a mother and her 5-month-old daughter. https://www.westsidespirit.com/news/fireman-hospitality-files-for-chapter-11-bankruptcy-EA6130547 hourly The Spirit - Westsider en 2026-08-20T17:34:58-04:00 Fireman Hospitality Files For Chapter 11 Bankruptcy https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/screenshot-2026-08-20-at-5-28-48-pm_4-11027159_20260820173059.png Fireman Hospitality Group, known for famed Manhattan restaurants such as Trattoria Dell’Arte (above), has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/screenshot-2026-08-20-at-5-31-54-pm_4-11027165_20260820173347.png Other restaurants in the Fireman portfolio include Café Fiorello (above), located on Broadway, as well as the Brooklyn Diner chain. https://www.westsidespirit.com/news/nyc-fire-museum-reopens-ahead-of-25-year-9-11-anniversary-LA6130814 hourly The Spirit - Westsider en 2026-08-21T14:33:44-04:00 NYC Fire Museum Reopens Ahead of 25-year 9/11 Anniversary https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/mychal-judge-photo_4-11029989_20260821150733.jpg On display at the Fire Museum is the photo shot by Reuters photographer Shannon Stapleton showing the body of FDNY chaplain Father Mychal Judge carried by firefighters Christian Vaughn and Zachary Vause; NYPD Lt. William Cosgrove; Kevin Allen of the Office of Emergency Management and Goldman Sachs civilian and West Point graduate John Maguire. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/screenshot-2026-08-21-at-1-52-37-pm_4-11029528_20260821150744.png (From left) Fire Museum Executive Director Dominick DeRubbio and FDNY Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore use an FDNY ax to cut the reopening ribbon held by Council members Christopher Marte and Joann Ariola. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/screenshot-2026-08-21-at-1-53-03-pm_4-11029531_20260821150748.png A crowd forms around the Fire Museum’s entrance during its reopening morning, around 10 a.m. on Aug. 20. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/screenshot-2026-08-20-at-6-53-50-pm_4-11027182_20260821150734.png The new flooring at the Fire Museum’s entryway, representing FDNY and EMS houses across the city. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/turnout-jacket-of-fr-mychal-judge_4-11029992_20260821151212.jpg The turnout jacket and helmet worn by FDNY chaplain Fr. Mychal Judge on the day he perished while praying on the ground floor of the north tower on 9/11 are back on permanent display at the reopened Fire Museum on Spring Street. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/turnout-jacket-of-fr-mychal-judge_4-11029995_20260821151213.jpg https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/screenshot-2026-08-20-at-6-54-23-pm_4-11027185_20260821150752.png The Museum’s 9/11 memorial, the first permanent memorial to the FDNY members tragically lost in 9/11. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/screenshot-2026-08-20-at-6-54-12-pm_4-11027184_20260821150801.png Older FDNY engines, also on display in the museum. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/screenshot-2026-08-20-at-6-54-35-pm_4-11027186_20260821150811.png A close up on the 9/11 memorial. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/screenshot-2026-08-20-at-6-54-44-pm_4-11027187_20260821150821.png A FDNY helmet recovered from the 9/11 wreckage.