Monday, May 20th, 2013

Disturbing news to start the week:
DNAinfo reports that the Dunkin’ Donuts at 2424 Broadway (between 89th & 90th) was robbed by a gun-toting thief last night.
The incident occurred around 10:00 pm. There were no injuries and the crook, who remains at large this morning, got away with “an undetermined amount of money.”
Sunday, May 19th, 2013

Photo Source: www.biking-in-manhattan.com
If you woke up today craving a street fair, you’re in luck (you’re also in luck if you were craving Mamapalooza 2013).
The 29th Annual Amsterdam Avenue Festival hits the Upper West Side today, although the weather is certainly less than appealing at the moment.
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Sunday, May 19th, 2013

Good free family event in the neighborhood today (rain or shine) — the 10th Annual Mamapalooza Festival is taking place at Pier I in Riverside Park South (Hudson River & 70th).
There will be food, live music, kids activities, crafts and more.
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Saturday, May 18th, 2013

Photo: @marekr / http://nydaily.tumblr.com
There have been an unusually large number of posts over the past few days about fairs, festivals, and other neighborhood events taking place on the Upper West Side today.
Here are all the details in one place:
8th Annual Upper West Side “Touch-A-Truck”
West Side YMCA (W. 64th, between Central Park West & Broadway)
10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Free Admission
West 102nd & 103rd Streets Block Association Annual Yard Sale
W. 103rd, between West End & Riverside
10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Free Admission
UWS P.S. 9 Spring Fair
W. 84th, between Columbus & Amsterdam
11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Free Admission
Cathedral School Of St. John The Divine Spring Fair
1047 Amsterdam (between 111th & 112th)
11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Free Admission
Upper West Side Greek Festival
Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church (302 W. 91st, at West End)
11:00 am – 7:00 pm
Free Admission
On A Wing Festival
Belvedere Castle, Central Park
12:00 – 3:00 pm
FREE
UWS P.S. 163 Spring Fair
W. 97th, between Amsterdam & Columbus
12:00 – 4:00 pm
Free Admission
West 75th Street Block Association Planting Day
W. 75th, between Columbus & Central Park West
1:00 – 4:00 pm
FREE
Friday, May 17th, 2013

Among the many festivities in the neighborhood this weekend is the annual Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church Festival on Saturday (5/18).
The action runs pretty much all day, from 11:00 am – 7:00 pm, at 302 W. 91st (at West End Avenue) and features traditional Greek food and desserts, music and dancing, a flea market, and plenty of activities for kids.
Some details from the organizers:
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Friday, May 17th, 2013

Photo: Central Park Conservancy
One more event of note tomorrow (Saturday, 5/18):
The Central Park Conservancy is holding their free annual On A Wing Festival.
Activities include interacting with various birds of prey, bird shows, and bird walks.
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Friday, May 17th, 2013

Slightly short notice for this, but there’s a walking tour in the neighborhood tomorrow morning (Saturday, 5/18) that may be of interest.
It’ll be led by Hank Orenstein, whom I’ve met a few times at UWS events. In addition to being a real estate agent and Executive vice President at UWS-based Rubicon Properties, Hank is also a a licensed NYC Sightseeing Guide (and Upper West Sider).
From Hank:
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Friday, May 17th, 2013

Burt Lancaster in "Elmer Gantry" (Photo: FilmLinc)
If you’re a film buff, you might be interested in the Burt Lancaster retrospective now running at the UWS Film Society Of Lincoln Center.
The series — Man of Steel: Burt Lancaster at 100 — runs through Thursday, 5/23 and features some great classics.
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Friday, May 17th, 2013

If you’re looking to exercise your green thumb, the West 75th Street Block Association is holding their annual Planting Day on Saturday (5/18).
Projects will take place on W. 75th between Columbus and Central Park West, from 1:00 – 4:00 pm.
Friday, May 17th, 2013

Lots of spring fair action at Upper West Side schools on Saturday.
There’s the PS 9 Spring Fair in the West 80s and the PS 163 Spring Fair in the West 90s (and let’s not forget Touch-A-Truck in the West 60s and the annual UWS Greek Festival).
If you’re in the 100s, the Cathedral School Of St. John The Divine Spring Fair might be your destination of choice.
Festivities run from 11:00 am – 4:00 pm at 1047 Amsterdam (between 111th & 112th).
There will be carnival games, bouncy rides, prizes, face painting, a dunk tank [NOTE: Awesome], karaoke, live music, international foods & second hand treasures (new and gently used items).
Website: www.cathedralnyc.org
Friday, May 17th, 2013

The 102nd & 103rd Streets Block Association is holding its annual yard sale on Saturday (5/18).
The event runs from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm on W. 103rd, between West End & Riverside.
All the “vendors” are residents from the neighborhood. There will also be a silent auction, 50/50 raffle, refreshments, a bake sale, and textile & electronics recycling.
Apparently the New York Blood Center’s “Blood Mobile” will also be on-site accepting blood donations.
Friday, May 17th, 2013

Fantastic kids event taking place on the Upper West Side tomorrow (Saturday, 5/18):
The West Side YMCA is holding their 8th Annual Touch-A-Truck.
In addition to things like food, music, and crafts, kids (and adults) will have the opportunity to get up close and interact with a variety of trucks, including the following: Fire truck, street sweeper, ambulance, NYPD truck, Con Ed truck, and USPS truck.
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