The Spirit | Your local newspaper for the Upper West Side

NY City Council Speaker Julie Menin wrote a letter to the commissioner of NY’s Department of Social Services opposing a planned homeless shelter on the UES, citing safety concerns.

NY City Council Speaker Julie Menin wrote a letter to the commissioner of NY’s Department of Social Services opposing a planned homeless shelter on the UES, citing safety concerns. ( Photo: Julie Menin on X)

A proposed homeless shelter on Third Ave. is the latest to receive community backlash. Now City Council Speaker Julie Menin has become a leading voice opposing the shelter.

Menin Now Leading Opposition to a 3rd Avenue Homeless Shelter

18 Aug 2026 | 05:52

City Council speaker Julie Menin has joined over 7,800 UES residents in voicing opposition to a planned homeless shelter on East 89th Strett and Third Avenue, blasting it as “uniquely inappropriate” location for a homeless shelter in a letter to the Department of Social Services (DSS).

Menin cited concerns...

Central Synagogue (pictured above in 2023) has been serving practitioners of Reform Judaism since being consecrated in 1872. There is reportedly no ongoing threat to the temple, the NYPD says.

Central Synagogue (pictured above in 2023) has been serving practitioners of Reform Judaism since being consecrated in 1872. There is reportedly no ongoing threat to the temple, the NYPD says. ( Photo: Wikimedia Commons )

Man Charged With Hate Crimes For Attack on Central Synagogue

17 Aug 2026 | 08:46

A 46 year-old man has been arrested and charged with hate crimes in connection with an attack on Central...

A women’s shelter on West 59th Street has recently come under fire after local parents and residents raised concerns over safety issues, due to the shelter’s proximity to a children’s playground.

A women’s shelter on West 59th Street has recently come under fire after local parents and residents raised concerns over safety issues, due to the shelter’s proximity to a children’s playground. ( Credit: Martina Dimitrova)

UWS Women’s Shelter Draws Ire of Neighbors, Calls for Reforms

17 Aug 2026 | 05:47

A 200-bed women’s shelter on West 59th Street is drawing heat from locals, who say residents of the shelter...

Fans of the Elizabeth Street Garden celebrate now that Mayor Zohran Mamdani has abandoned city plans to erect low income housing on the neighborhood greenspace.

Fans of the Elizabeth Street Garden celebrate now that Mayor Zohran Mamdani has abandoned city plans to erect low income housing on the neighborhood greenspace. ( Photo: Marie Pohl)

Elizabeth Street Garden Saved After Long Preservation Fight

17 Aug 2026 | 03:58

Over a hundred people gathered at the Elizabeth Street Garden on Saturday to celebrate its permanent...

Over 87,000 people have signed a controversial petition to encourage event organizers to bar Mayor Zohran Mamdani from the 25th Anniversary Ceremony for 9/11.

Over 87,000 people have signed a controversial petition to encourage event organizers to bar Mayor Zohran Mamdani from the 25th Anniversary Ceremony for 9/11. ( Credit: DHSgov, Wikimedia Commons)

Petition to Bar Mamdani From 9/11 Ceremony Sparks Support, Backlash

17 Aug 2026 | 01:18

In the weeks leading up to the 25th Anniversary of the tragedy of 9/11, over 87,000 petitioners have...

Golden Mall FiDi entrance at 47 Broadway.

Golden Mall FiDi entrance at 47 Broadway. ( Photo: Lucy Rice)

A New Asian Food Hall Has Soft Opened Downtown

13 Aug 2026 | 09:28

“Downtown is known to be kind of bland,” said Robert Cheng, owner of Golden Mall, when asked what customers...

Nicole Cooper has shown her work across the U.S. While her medium is often oil on canvas, she has been experimenting with new materials.

Nicole Cooper has shown her work across the U.S. While her medium is often oil on canvas, she has been experimenting with new materials. ( Photo: Courtesy of Nicole Cooper)

Artist Nicole Cooper’s Work Offers New Ways to Think About Climate

18 Aug 2026 | 12:10

On the northern tip of Governors Island, just half a mile from lower Manhattan, a former 1870s munitions...

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