'West Side Story' Review + Prohibition Plans Return

Happy Friday, Upper West Side! Here's what's going on today in town.

First, today's weather:

Partly sunny, windy and cooler. High: 45 Low: 35.

Here are the top stories today in Upper West Side:

1. Review: Steven Spielberg's rousing 'West Side Story' revival (KOB)
2. Prohibition Plans Epic Return - In New Form (I Love the Upper West Side)
3. West Side Rag » Four Wayward Kittens Found by Community Garden Members Will Need 'Forever Homes' Soon (westsiderag.com)
4. Cannabis Legalization and Licensing - the "Microbusiness" and What's to Come in 2022 - iLovetheUpperWestSide.com (I Love the Upper West Side)

Today's Upper West Side Daily is brought to you in part by our friends at Verizon. They're building the fastest 5G network in the country. To learn how 5G is going to change life for you and your community — and to get access to this amazing technology — click here. And thank you Verizon for sponsoring this community resource in Upper West Side!

Today in Upper West Side:

Upper West Side Patch Notebook

• American Museum of Natural History: "We know many of you can’t travel to visit the Museum (yet!), so we’ve been featuring your favorite exhibits digitally—like this slice of giant sequoia in the Hall of North American Forests. The tree from which this piece of sequoia came ..." (Facebook)
• Central Park: "Whether it’s fall 🍂 or winter ❄️, Central Park’s views consistently take our breath away. As the season slowly transitions to winter, enjoy the calm that comes with bare branches, quiet vistas, and clear skies in the Park. Not sure wher..." (Facebook)
• American Museum of Natural History: "Here’s a fun fact for you this Wednesday: did you know? The Toco Toucan (Ramphastos toco) is the largest species of toucan! It lives in the tropical forests of South America, and its bright red-orange bill can grow up to nearly 8 inches ..." (Facebook)
• American Museum of Natural History: "Why does the spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris) spin? Scientists think the dolphin makes acrobatic leaps for a range of reasons: to rid itself of clinging parasites, to signal something, to enhance a courtship display…or just for fu..." (Facebook)
• New-York Historical Society: "🎄 Tonight is the lighting of Rockefeller Center's Christmas tree!⁣⁣ ⁣ Though the first official ceremony was held in 1933, the first tree went up on Dec. 24, 1931. Workers decorated a 20-foot balsam tree with paper garlands, strings of ..." (Facebook)
• American Museum of Natural History: "Older than dinosaurs–and more threatened than threatening–sharks are spectacular, surprising, and often misunderstood. Few people encounter this ancient group of fishes. But with a visit to Sharks you can come face-to-fin with these amaz..." (Facebook)
• American Museum of Natural History: "Do you remember the first time you stood in front of a dinosaur? It’s an awe-inspiring experience. The Museum’s fourth-floor halls display 600 fossil specimens—including approximately 100 dinosaur fossils. One of the most famous is Tyran..." (Facebook)
• Central Park: "Central Park has long been a space of activism, resilience, and healing, and this #WorldAIDSDay, we remember those we have lost in the AIDS epidemic. Learn more about the AIDS Memorial Quilt on the Great Lawn in 1989 & more: https://bit...." (Facebook)
• Central Park: "Come take a virtual walk with us and discover the winding shoreline of the Lake, the largest naturalistic body of water in Central Park that offers exquisite views of the Park’s trees framed against the late-autumn sky. https://bit.ly/31..." (Facebook)
• The Juilliard School: "In memoriam: We are saddened by the loss of experimental composer Alvin Lucier (1931-2021), who taught composition at Wesleyan University from 1968 to 2011. At Alice Tully Hall in January 2020, Juilliard Creative Associate Claire Chase l..." (Facebook)
• New-York Historical Society: "“The man who does not read has no advantage over the man who cannot read.” Mark Twain was born #OnThisDay in 1835. This game of Authors was one of the best-selling educational card games of the late 19th century. Players build "suits" of..." (Facebook)
• New-York Historical Society: "“Callas? She was pure electricity.”—Leonard Bernstein⁣ Soprano and opera legend #MariaCallas was born #OnThisDay in 1923 in New York. ⁣ She studied in Greece and made her American debut in November 1954 at Chicago’s Lyric Opera in the ti..." (Facebook)
• New-York Historical Society: "You know the famous story of Rosa Parks and the Montgomery bus boycott—but her activism started long before. Read more from #WomenAtTheCenter. https://bit.ly/3iKFbqp" (Facebook)
• American Folk Art Museum: "Calling all families! On Saturday, December 4th at 10 am ET, join us online for our monthly, interactive Families and Folk Art program. The current exhibit, American Weathervanes: The Art of the Winds, explores the artistry and cultural ..." (Facebook)
• Central Park: "Nothing brings the family together like raking leaves! 🍂 Sign up for our Family Volunteer Days, sponsored by American Express, and enjoy quality, outdoor time while supporting the Park. #TheParkNeedsUs https://bit.ly/31jWQkg" (Facebook)
• The Beacon Theatre: "The Rockettes lit up the stage at the Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting tonight ⭐ 🎄 Did you catch their performance? #RockCenterXmas" (Facebook)
• Riverside Park Conservancy: "BREAKING: In just 6 months, the Conservancy fixed the 107th Street Staircase, and today it re-opened it to the public! This project, which restored this historic feature and critical access point for tens of thousands of people, was made..." (Facebook)
• New York Institute of Technology: "Today, President Hank Foley shared news at our virtual Open House about how New York Tech students will be working on exciting new NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration prototyping projects. #NASAxNewYorkTech https://buff...." (Facebook)
• New-York Historical Society: "How did presidents from Harry S. Truman through LBJ and a coalition of lawmakers and activists fight to transform the American immigration system? 🎧 Listen to the latest For the Ages podcast with New York Times deputy national editor Ji..." (Facebook)
• Symphony Space: "Calling all Loki and Marvel fans! Our live, virtual event with Tom Hiddleston is on December 16th (although you can watch until Dec 22). Join Josh Horowitz, host of Happy, Sad, Confused, for a special, fun-filled conversation. Don't miss..." (Facebook)
• Barnard College: "Mark your calendars! The next Insights: Powered by Barnard event is coming up on Thursday, December 9 at 6:30 pm EST. Join us to see Dr. Irene Dankwa-Mullan, Chief Health Equity Officer and Deputy Chief Health Officer at IBM Watson Healt..." (Facebook)
• Symphony Space: "There were big laughs last night at the return of Uptown Showdown! Great points were made all around, but Team Style took the win! To Mehran Khaghani, Starlee Kine, Dan McCoy , Kenice Mobley, and Kate Willett, thank you for your incredib..." (Facebook)
• West Side Campaign Against Hunger: "Thank you to everyone who came out to the Tavern on the Green tree lighting and for those who donated to our virtual food drive. Glad to be able to gather together in person to ring in the #holidayseason 🎄" (Facebook)

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Events:

• Burger Village GRAND OPENING - 1st 100 customers will get free French fries (December 3)
• Netflix’s Passing: Screening and Rebecca Hall, Ruth Negga and André Holland in Conversation with Dav (December 3)
• Benefit Evening at RevBooks: Artist Dread Scott on "Slave Rebellion Reenactment" (December 3)
• Office & Home Furniture Warehouse Liquidation Sale (December 4)
• Chamber Music Concert: Saturday Dec. 4th, at 6:00. Sunday, Dec. 5th at 4:00 (December 4)
• The Western Wind: The Light Returns: Joyous Music for the Holidays (December 4)
• Join the NO BUTTS Campaign (December 5)
• The Klezmatics "Happy Joyous Hanukkah" (December 5)
• Montclair School of Real Estate IN PERSON or ONLINE Classes (December 6)
• Four Key Voices Address the History & Need for Philanthropy Giving to Social Welfare Programs (December 8)
• Big Apple Circus is NOW OPEN in New York City! (December 12)
• Add your event

Announcements:

• Capital Prep Harlem is Now Accepting Applications for Enrollment! (Details)
• 60 years plus & Hispanic?Get paid for your opinions on surveys. (Details)
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For sale:

• Salon for sale (Details)
• Second Generation Peleton Bike (Details)
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Gigs & services:

• Hair & Makeup Artist (Details)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Friday off right! I'll see you around. If you're feeling these newsletters, consider inviting some of your friends and neighbors to follow along. You can send them this link to subscribe.

— Gus Saltonstall

About me: Hi Patch readers! I'm a Patch reporter covering the Manhattan neighborhoods of the West Village, Upper West Side, and Washington Heights/Inwood. If you like my writing please sign up for Patch's newsletters. Dickinson College alum. Upper West Side of Manhattan-born and raised. Send any tips to gus.saltonstall@patch.com

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Upper West Side Daily? You can reach me at gus.saltonstall@patch.com.