A border collie named Basket, living on the Upper West Side, is featured in the New York Times for her exceptional language learning abilities, recognizing over 150 toys by name and demonstrating intelligence comparable to a 1.5-year-old human, highlighting the bond and mental stimulation between her and her owner, Elle Baumgartel-Austin.
New York City Restaurant Week is running from January 20 to February 12, featuring 31 Upper West Side eateries offering discounted two- and three-course meals at prices ranging from $30 to $60, with nearly 600 restaurants across NYC participating.
In 2025, West Side Rag saw over 11.5 million page views, with the most popular stories covering local real estate, community issues like school closures and rat invasions, and notable neighborhood events and personalities, reflecting the diverse interests of the Upper West Side community.
The article reflects on the history and future of the Upper West Side, emphasizing the importance of vision and imagination in shaping the neighborhood, especially through vacant storefronts and natural landmarks, encouraging residents to dream and contribute to the area's ongoing transformation.
The article discusses a historical photo challenge focused on a rock outcrop on the Upper West Side, revealing its location, history of urban development, and the impact of geological features on city planning, along with a solution to a previous challenge and insights into the area's geological history.
Keta Medical Center has opened a second ketamine treatment facility on the Upper West Side to provide innovative mental health options for patients, offering supervised sessions for depression and anxiety with insurance acceptance.
Gary B. Martin, an illustrator and animator with over 30 years on the Upper West Side, shares his experiences and neighborhood life through his artwork, which is featured in the Rag and online.
Absolute Bagels, a popular bagel shop on the Upper West Side, has been permanently closed by the health department due to severe health violations, including rodent and insect infestations, unsafe food storage, and unsanitary conditions. The shop had a history of noncompliance, with previous closures in 2013 and 2017 for similar issues. The closure has shocked the local community, but the health department deemed it necessary to protect public health.
Absolute Bagels, a long-standing bagel shop on the Upper West Side of New York, has abruptly closed after 30 years. The closure coincides with a recent health inspection that reported significant violations, including evidence of rats and live roaches. The shop's owner, Sam Thongkrieng, a Thai immigrant who opened the store in 1992, is leaving the space, and efforts are underway to replace it with another bagel store.
A beloved bagel shop on the Upper West Side of New York City has closed, causing significant upset among local residents who cherished the establishment as a community staple.
Eduardo Diaz, a 42-year-old from Queens, has been charged with attempted murder and other offenses following a shooting on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. Diaz, a former employee of a computer shop, allegedly shot his ex-boss after being fired, leading to a manhunt that caused significant subway delays. The victim is expected to survive. Diaz was apprehended after a search that included subway and Central Park areas.
The NYPD is searching for a suspect in Central Park after a 47-year-old man was shot in the leg and shoulder on the Upper West Side near 69th Street and Columbus Avenue. The suspect fled towards Central Park and may have used the subway to escape, prompting police to halt train services temporarily for the search. The suspect was last seen wearing a white hat, green jacket, and blue underhoodie, and holding a black gun. The investigation is ongoing.
Famed photographer Annie Leibovitz has sold her Upper West Side duplex for $10.62 million, making a loss of $680,000 compared to the $11.24 million she paid for it in 2014. The property, located in the Brentmore building, features four bedrooms and three bathrooms spread across 3,500 square feet and boasts various original details. Leibovitz explained that the apartment had become too big for her now that her daughters are grown. Additionally, her full-floor live-work studio at 495 West St. is still seeking a buyer for $8.5 million after she paid $6.5 million for it in 2022.
The fourth season of "Only Murders in the Building" will be set in Los Angeles instead of the Upper West Side, marking a departure from the show's previous setting. The decision was confirmed by Craig Erwich, president of the Disney Television Group. While the show will temporarily relocate to sunny California, there are plans to return to "The Arconia" on the Upper West Side at some point in the future. No premiere date for the fourth season has been announced yet.
Subway service on the Upper West Side was fully restored after a collision and derailment involving two trains on the 1 line near 96th Street disrupted service for two days. The incident, which resulted in 24 injuries, prompted an investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board. Crews worked around the clock to make repairs, remove the trains from the subway tunnel, and complete a safety inspection of the area. Governor Kathy Hochul announced the restoration of full service, allowing hundreds of thousands of riders to resume their commutes.