Upper West Side Blog MyUpperwest

Bizarre, and almost tragic, celebrity incident on the Upper West Side yesterday: Actor Michael McKean was struck by a car at the corner of Broadway & 86th. The accident occurred around 3:00 pm yesterday. Mr. McKean, an Upper West Sider, was rushed to St. Luke’s hospital — early reports indicate he suffered a broken leg [...]

Quick reminder if you missed the post yesterday: 7-Eleven is giving out free Slurpees today from 11:00 am – 7:00 pm (or while supplies last). The Upper West Side has two locations: 676 Amsterdam (at 93rd) and 600 Columbus (at 89th). I believe most locations are NYC and the rest of the country are participating [...]

Looks like Scribble Press is shuttering their Upper West Side location, meaning kids and parents will need to head over to their UES location on 1st Avenue. They’re closing their doors at 217 W. 84th as of 5/28. Scribble Press recently sent an e-mail out with the following: We are closing one store to allow [...]

Posted last month about the trial of Julian Kurita, an Upper West Sider who was accused of hacking his father to death in July 2010 in the apartment they shared at 175 W. 87th (at Amsterdam). For those of you who follow this sort of thing, Kurita was found guilty of murder yesterday. Huffington Post [...]

If you like free stuff and you like Slurpees, you’re in luck. Tomorrow (Wednesday, 5/23) is “SlurpFree” day at 7-Eleven. Participating locations, including the two on the UWS, are handing out free Slurpees throughout the day. The Upper West Side “Sevies” are located at 676 Amsterdam (at 93rd) and 600 Columbus (at 89th). I believe [...]

Crazy scene at the 72nd Street 1/2/3 subway station yesterday morning as an attempted robbery unfolded during the morning rush hour commute. The incident apparently ended with the suspect getting pepper sprayed by police on the platform. MUW reader was Taylor witnessed the whole thing and sent in this report last night: I haven’t been [...]

Some relocation and opening news that’s tied together: Down & Quilt Shop (518 Columbus, at 85th) recently closed and has relocated one block west on Amsterdam. Moving into the space is the uber-popular Birdbath Neighborhood Green Bakery, a “sister” bakery of Flatiron District fixture The City Bakery. After 29 years on Columbus, Down & Quilt [...]

Posted on Friday that a 21-year-old male was struck by a car at approximately 5:00 am near Columbus & 72nd. That story was updated with a bizarre twist over the weekend — it now appears the man in question actually threw himself from a moving taxi. DNAinfo has updated their story with the new details [...]

Scary stuff on West 76th between West End & Riverside Drive last night. An explosion of some sort caused fire to shoot out of a manhole cover on the street. Long-time readers might recall a similar incident on West 76th that happened last summer. In that case, the source of the blast was thought to [...]

NYC Council Member Gale Brewer, who represents the Upper West Side, is holding her annual open house event tonight. If you have any thoughts you want to share about a variety of UWS issues, tonight’s a great opportunity. The event runs from 4:00 – 8:00 pm this evening. Ms. Brewer’s office is located at 563 [...]

A brief round-up of Upper West Side news and openings/closings from the past week: Upper West Side News: President Obama Speaks At UWS Barnard College Graduation UWS Bank Robbed Just Five Blocks South Of Obama Speech Police Searching For UWS Bank Robber Attention Ladies: Pervert Spotted Snapping Upskirt Photos At UWS Post Office UWS Restaurant [...]

If you woke up today craving a street fair, you’re in luck (you’re also in luck if you were craving Mamapalooza 2012). The Amsterdam Avenue Festival runs from 12:00 – 5:00 pm today. The action stretches from 77th to 90th Streets (on Amsterdam), and will include the typical street fair fixtures, including music, food, and [...]

Good family event in the neighborhood today — the 9th Annual Mamapalooza Festival is taking place at Pier I in Riverside Park South (Hudson River & 70th). There’s a slew of stuff going on all day, including live music all day, food, and activities for the whole family. Among the bands playing is a duo [...]

Short notice on this, but I just saw the note now. The 102nd & 103rd Streets Block Association is holding its annual yard sale today on West 103rd, between West End & Riverside. The event runs until 5:00 pm. Add this to the list of other neighborhood events going on today: P.S. 9 Spring Fair [...]

Tomorrow is shaping up to be a busy day of neighborhood fairs and festivals tomorrow… There’s the P.S. 9 Spring Fair in the West 80s, the Greek Festival in the West 90s, and if you’re in the West 100s, the Cathedral School of St. John the Divine is hosting a spring fair of their own. [...]

‘Tis the season of local school spring fairs, and tomorrow is no exception. UWS P.S. 9 is holding their annual fair, along with a rummage sale, on Saturday. The event takes place on West 84th, between Amsterdam & Columbus, from 11:00 am – 4:00 pm. In addition to typical fair stuff like games, arts & [...]

Fun event taking place in the neighborhood tomorrow: The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church (302 W. 91st, at West End) is holding their annual Greek Festival. The action runs pretty much all day, from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm. The organizers sent in this note: Along with amazing Greek food and wine, our guests and neighbors will enjoy [...]

UPDATE 5/21: New details emerge; Victim apparently hurled himself from a moving taxi Not many details on this, but DNAinfo reports a 21-year-old man was struck by a car at Columbus & 72nd early this morning. The accident occurred around 5:00 am and the victim was taken to the hospital in “traumatic arrest.”

There have been rumors swirling for a while that clothing retailer H&M was looking for space on the UWS. Now there’s conformation — the chain will open a store in the Time Warner Center this fall. Racked has the details, including this note: Not only will the location be H&M’s first spot on the Upper [...]

I can’t say I’m onboard with this, but… I just came across some news that a street safety and cycling advocacy group called Upper West Side Streets Renaissance (UWSSR) is leading an effort to get New York City to permanently lower the speed limit on the UWS from 30 mph (the standard throughout NYC)  to 20 [...]