The Queer Urban Orchestra, one of the only dedicated ensembles of its kind in the US, will be putting on a notable performance at the St. Paul & St. Andrew Church on May 10. ( Photo: courtesy Queer Urban Orchestra ) The Queer Urban Orchestra Has Created a Safe Space for Remarkable NYC Musicians If you’re looking for an evening of enriching musical entertainment, you couldn’t possibly do better than attending a performance... News 26 Apr 2025 | 06:14
Local advocates rallied at City Hall on April 8 to demand greater transparency around arts education funding. ( Photo: Jack Ahern ) Advocates Urge City to Spend More on Arts Ed. for Public Schools, as Cuts Loom Local arts advocates hosted educators and students at an April 8 rally on the steps of Manhattan’s City Hall, in order to... Home 18 Apr 2025 | 07:32
A nonprofit known as Upper West Side Cinema Center has agreed to a $6.9 million purchase of the famed Metro Theater at 2626 Broadway. The group hopes to revive the theater, which has been closed since 2005, as a five-screen arthouse destination. ( Photo: Upper West Side Cinema Center) Saved: Metro Theater Bought by UWS Cinema Center for $6.9 Million The Metro Theater is back, after a nonprofit group known as Upper West Side Cinema Center announced that it had finally managed... News 15 Apr 2025 | 03:11
Car-Free Earth Day will be held on April 26, the NYC Department of Transportation announced, formally kicking off 2025’s “Open Streets” programming. ( Photo: NYC DOT ) ‘Car-Free Earth Day’ to Kick Off Open Streets Across Manhattan The NYC Department of Transportation will kick off its Open Streets season on April 26, for its ninth annual Car-Free Earth... News 04 Apr 2025 | 01:53
A judge on Feb. 24 lifted a restraining order that temporarily blocked Mount Sinai from closing Beth Israel Hospital, which has served patients in downtown Manhattan since the 1800s. Community advocates quickly succeeded in getting an appeals court to reimpose a temporary stay, teeing up more legal wrangling. ( Photo: Jack Ahern ) Appeal Halts Beth Israel Closure After Lower Court Ok’d It An appeals-court ruling has once again halted Mount Sinai’s plan to close Beth Israel Hospital, this time only days before... News 03 Mar 2025 | 12:26
City Councilmember Gale Brewer has released a map of 65 faulty streetlights in her district. A few of the 65 were outright missing. The data was gathered in a volunteer survey. ( Photo: Gale Brewer) Volunteers Identify 65 Faulty or Missing UWS Streetlights Volunteers working on behalf of City Councilmember Gale Brewer have identified 65 nonfunctional streetlights on the Upper... News 25 Feb 2025 | 03:17
The Ritz Bar pictured in 2024. A group of men—three of whom were just convicted—targeted patrons for robbery there in 2022, killing one. ( Photo: Google Maps ) Three Men Convicted for Robberies of Local Gay Bar Patrons That Left 2 Dead Three men—Jayqwan Hamilton, Robert Demaio, and Jacob Barroso—have been convicted by a jury for drugging and robbing gay bar... News 14 Feb 2025 | 06:31
Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright and her fellow Aging Committee members listening to a report from Greg Olsen, Acting Director of the NYS Office for the Aging, on Feb. 4. ( Photo: Courtesy of Rebecca Seawright) Rebecca Seawright Vows to Serve Seniors As New State Assembly Aging Chair Upper East Side State Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright became the chair of that body’s Aging Committee last month, a role... News 14 Feb 2025 | 10:43
Anthony Saccavino, 59, pictured addressing the FDNY before he actively retired. He’s pleaded guilty to federal bribery charges stemming from his time heading the Bureau of Fire Prevention. ( Photo: FDNY/Flickr ) Former FDNY Chief Pleads Guilty to Fed Bribery Charges A former high-ranking FDNY official, Anthony Saccavino, has pleaded guilty to federal bribery charges stemming from a pay-to-play... News 10 Feb 2025 | 03:46
Barzini’s has struck a settlement that will allow it to reopen after it grievously failed a health inspection, as long as it complies with future inspections and mandates that its employees take food-safety courses. ( Photo: Jack Ahern ) Rats No Longer? Barzini’s, UWS Grocer That Failed Inspection, Strikes Deal to Reopen Barzini’s, the 24-hour Upper West Side grocery store that failed a health inspection in rather gruesome fashion and refused... News 07 Feb 2025 | 08:18
Barzini’s, an Upper West Side grocery store, on Jan. 29. It had defied a court order to close after state health agencies found disgusting conditions inside. ( Photo: Jack Ahern ) Rats: Barzini’s Now Closed After Failing Health Inspection, Initially Defying Court Order After severely failing a health inspection, a 24-hour Upper West Side grocery store may finally be obeying a judge’s Jan.... News 03 Feb 2025 | 01:02
Applications are now being accepted for a DOT program that will allow delivery drivers–such as the one pictured above–to trade in unregulated e-bikes for safe, UL-approved ones. ( Photo: Department of Transportation ) DOT Begins Rollout of $2 Million E-Bike Trade-In Program for Delivery Workers The DOT has begun accepting applications for an e-bike swap program open to delivery workers, as part of the Adams administration’s... News 28 Jan 2025 | 05:44
A rendering of the proposed Midtown South Mixed-Use Plan, which would rezone 42 blocks in the middle of Manhattan. It would create 9,700 new housing units, 2,300 of them permanently income-restricted. ( Photo: City Planning Commission) Midtown Rezoning Plan Enters Public Review, Could Create 9,700 New Housing Units Midtown could soon see some 10,000 new units of housing, after the sweeping zoning overhaul known as the “City of Yes” was... News 27 Jan 2025 | 02:50
Reverend Amanda Ashcraft, of Middle Collegiate Church, condemned President Donald Trump’s directive to allow ICE to conducting sweeps at houses of worship. Such raids had previously been barred by executive order. ( Photo: Jack Ahern ) Faith Leaders Vow to Maintain Sanctuary For Undocumented New Yorkers A group of faith leaders & local NYC politicians gathered at a church in the East Village and promised to provide sanctuary... News 24 Jan 2025 | 11:03
A rendering of what Related Co.’s & Wynn’s $12 billion casino bid in Hudson Yards would look like. On Jan. 6, CB4 issued an unanimous motion of disapproval concerning the bid. ( Photo: Related Co., Wynn Resorts ) CB4’s Full Board Votes Its Disapproval of Hudson Yards Casino Bid Community Board 4 issued an unanimous vote of disapproval for Related Co.’s & Wynn Resorts’ $12 billion Hudson Yards casino... News 16 Jan 2025 | 11:58
