https://www.westsidespirit.com/news/protected-landmarks-commission-oks-lithuanian-alliance-building-YY5742212 hourly The Spirit - Westsider en 2026-04-08T13:06:46-04:00 Protected? Landmarks Commission OKs Lithuanian Alliance Building https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/lithuania-consulate-4-10188573-202601_4-10593353_20260408120923.webp The Lithuanian Alliance of America had sought protection for its four story HQ, which it has owned since 1910, because it feared what might happen to it as nearby Penn Station is transformed. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/lithuanian-alliance-plaque-4-10188596_4-10593398_20260408130633.webp The Lithuanian Alliance Building has been based at 307 W. 30th St. since the cultural organization purchased the building in 1910. The city’s Landmarks Preservation Commission recently granted the 150-year-old building landmark status. https://www.westsidespirit.com/news/freckles-is-back-homeless-man-says-he-prefers-to-live-outside-on-broadway-FA5736340 hourly The Spirit - Westsider en 2026-04-08T16:11:17-04:00 Freckles Is Back: Homeless Man Says He Prefers to Live Outside– https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/ethan-and-kitty_4-10592035_20260407164854.jpg An unhoused individual, Ethan, known locally as “Freckles,” holds his cat “kitty” the day after a city sweep. He says he always returns to the Broadway and W. 75th St. location under a scaffold the minute city officials leave because he prefers to live outside rather than a shelter. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/img-0109_4-10588683_20260406171747.jpg Ethan at his “home” the day before a city sweep. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/img-0108_4-10588680_20260407103153.jpg Ethan had a humble abode set up on Broadway and 78th Street before April 1 https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/img-0110_4-10588669_20260407103155.jpg The day before the sweep, April 1 https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/img-0163_4-10588664_20260407103157.jpg The day after Ethan, or Freckles as he is known, was back at his old spot. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/img-0159_4-10588661_20260407103159.jpg Freckles said he simply clears his stuff off the sidewalk when he knows the city is conducting a sweep, and then moves right back in by the next day. https://www.westsidespirit.com/news/city-issues-large-gathering-ban-for-world-cup-250th-ball-drop-MX5743259 hourly The Spirit - Westsider en 2026-04-08T17:24:18-04:00 City Issues Large Gathering Ban for World Cup &amp; 250th Ball Drop https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/screenshot-2026-04-08-at-5-18-22-pm_4-10594715_20260408172408.png There will be no public crowd allowed at a 250th national anniversary ball drop in Times Square this summer, due to a permitting freeze meant to prevent “significant realignment...of NYPD personnel.” https://www.westsidespirit.com/news/roadway-dining-is-back-for-season-dot-now-wants-year-round-NA5736438 hourly The Spirit - Westsider en 2026-04-09T10:28:27-04:00 Roadway Dining is Back For Season, DOT Now Wants Year-Round https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/img-9056_4-10595456_20260409102829.jpg Roadside outdoor dining is back for the season, albeit at a severely diminished scale. Under Mayor Zohran Mamdani, the DOT has signaled that they support a shift back to looser all year-round rules, as does Council Speaker Julie Menin. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/img-9058_4-10595459_20260409102832.jpg An outdoor setup at The Grey Dog, known for brunch and other bites. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/screenshot-2026-04-06-at-4-34-34-pm_4-10588657_20260406163652.png An outdoor setup at the 11th St. Bar. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/screen-shot-2025-04-24-at-5-33-17-pm_4-10588806_20260406164312.webp In order to mark a shift in seasonal enforcement, the DOT says that the City Council must pass a Speaker Menin-promised bill to change the rules. https://www.westsidespirit.com/news/enough-is-enough-32bj-seiu-ready-to-enter-strike-zone-LE5745940 hourly The Spirit - Westsider en 2026-04-09T16:38:30-04:00 “Enough Is Enough”: 32BJ SEIU Ready to Enter Strike Zone https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/32bjseiustrike_4-10600329_20260409165202.jpg <b>32BJ Strike Captains meeting at E. 66th Street and Lexington Avenue on April 8, 2026</b> https://www.westsidespirit.com/news/firebrand-still-burns-after-50-years-of-local-activism-HY5742779 hourly The Spirit - Westsider en 2026-04-10T11:02:19-04:00 Firebrand Still Burns after 50+ Years of Local Activism https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/arlene-geiger-top-photo_4-10593577_20260408145617.jpg Arlene Geiger, who has been protesting since the anti-war movement in the 1970s, is gearing up for another national protest on May Day. https://www.westsidespirit.com/news/beneath-a-canopy-of-petals-spring-s-most-elegant-moment-arrives-YF5733313 hourly The Spirit - Westsider en 2026-04-10T12:05:48-04:00 Beneath a Canopy of Petals Spring’s Most Elegant Moment Arrives https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/unnamed-2_4-10585160_20260406113917.jpg The Bridle Path entrance at East 90th Street and 5th Avenue (Engineers’ Gate) has a canopy of cherry blossoms. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/unnamed-14_4-10585283_20260406115707.jpg The Pilgrim on East 72nd Street Central Park is surrounded by pink blossoms this time of year. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/unnamed-13_4-10585276_20260406115554.jpg Striking a pose with cherry blossoms while a friend snaps away. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/unnamed-12_4-10585273_20260406115456.jpg A dog named Doo Yoo sports his own blossom. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/unnamed-10_4-10585250_20260406115038.jpg Linzy Lin, from Long Island City, is dressed as a “blossom goddess” https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/unnamed-9_4-10585246_20260407123549.jpg Crowds head to Central Park in awe of the Cherry Blossoms in peak bloom. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/unnamed-8_4-10585193_20260407123551.jpg Ladies get some close up on the blossoms https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/unnamed-7_4-10585182_20260407123552.jpg A lady admires the blossoms. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/unnamed-6_4-10585179_20260407123554.jpg A young woman poses for a photo with cherry blossoms as the backdrop. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/unnamed-5_4-10585176_20260407123555.jpg Our Heather Stein, the writer, in Central Park taking in the beauty &amp; serenity of the blossoms https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/unnamed-4_4-10585167_20260406114206.jpg Snap Toks, who has tens of thousands of social media followers, experiencing the blossoms for the first time. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/unnamed-3_4-10585163_20260406114058.jpg This cherry blossom tree is on UES along the Central Park reservoir. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/img-9019_4-10585172_20260407123921.jpg Alex Boodram and Chelsea Soo Hon from Queens came out to enjoy the Cherry Blossoms in Central Park https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/unnamed-11_4-10585253_20260406115147.jpg A young child admires the cherry blossoms.