DNAinfo - manhattan local news

Sunday, March 14, 2010 | 9:51am

About Us

Serena Solomon

Reporter/Producer
serena.solomon@dnainfo.com
Follow Serena on Twitter @serenaDNAinfo

Serena Solomon is a DNAinfo reporter/producer and covers the Upper West Side, Midtown West, and Morningside Heights.

An Australian who has maintained a daily obsession with news since a young age, Serena started out as a social worker, working with homeless teenagers for five years, before making a career change to journalism.

She studied International Communications with a major in journalism at Macquaire University in Sydney, and completed a year-long study abroad program at the University of Washington, in Seattle. While in Seattle she worked with SCAN, a community access station, as a PR assistant and as a reporter. She also reported for the Daily, the school's award-winning student publication.

After Seattle, Serena moved to the East Coast to work with the New York Times on a pilot project called "The Local." The hyper-local journalism experiment seeks to find ways to incorporate citizen journalists and media professionals to create a media model that could effectively serve a community.

And before anyone dares to ask: No, she is not a descendant of convicts and, yes, there are kangaroos in her backyard.

Fun Fact: Serena's favorite pastime is to fumble through other people's junk at yard sales or flea markets. Recently, while digging through the flea market on 25th Street in Chelsea, she discovered the perfect tiepin — in the shape of a vintage convertible roadster — to give her boyfriend.

Most Recent

Only In New York comment

Nesting Red-Tailed Hawks Put Rat Baiting on Hold Across the City

Nesting Red-Tailed Hawks Puts Hold on Rat Baiting(AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)

The city fears rat baiting will adversely affect nesting red-tailed hawks.

Tags: Only In New York, Washington Heights & Inwood

Business & Economy comment

Upper East Side Store Demonstrates How Baby Slings Can Be Safe

VIDEO: Upper East Side Store Demonstrates That Baby Slings Can Be Safe(DNAinfo/Serena Solomon)

Store shows parents how to safely use baby slings.

Tags: Business & Economy, Upper West Side

Sports 2comments

Golf Cart Rides from Fifth Avenue Proposed in Plan for Central Park Tennis Courts

Central Park Tennis courts - no bubble(Flickr/Bobcatnorth)

A plan to put a bubble over Central Park tennis courts got even more controversial at a community meeting.

Tags: Sports, Central Harlem

Politics | Manhattan comment

Former Councilman David Yassky Tapped to Head Taxi and Limousine Commission

Yassky to Lead the Taxi and Limousine Commission(Flickr/New York City Council)

One-time comptroller candidate will take over TLC top spot if Council approves mayor's nomination.

Tags: Politics, Manhattan

Crime | Midtown West comment

Times Square Blaze Draws Large FDNY — and Tourist — Response

Fire in Times Square(DNAinfo/Serena Solomon)

A small Times Square fire attracted a heavy response from the FDNY and spectators.

Tags: Crime, Midtown West & Hells Kitchen

Business & Economy | Upper West Side comment

Ex-Workers Demand Lost Wages From Upper West Side Café

Ex-Workers Protest Lost Wages Outside Upper West Side Cafe(DNAinfo/Serena Solomon)

Former employees of Café con Leche will protest outside restaurant until owners pay back fair wages.

Tags: Business & Economy, Upper West Side

Politics comment

An Upper West Side Church at the Front Line of Census Outreach

The church is encouraging census participation by non-English speakers and those who may be skeptical of government.

Tags: Politics, Morningside Heights

Transportation | Upper West Side comment

Sign for Taxi-Sharing Pickup Spot on the Wrong Upper West Side Block

Taxi Share Sign on 73rd Street(DNAinfo/Jason Tucker)

The taxi share program fizzled on its first day on the Upper West Side, and Community Board 7 offered a few reasons why.

Tags: Transportation, Upper West Side

Arts & Entertainment | Upper West Side comment

From the Upper West Side With Love: Artist to Showcase in Paris

Women of Influence(copyright Renay Elle Morris/PHOTOPRESSE]IMAGES)

Manhattan photographer Renay Elle Morris is showcasing her photos in Paris.

Tags: Arts & Entertainment, Upper West Side

Crime | Upper West Side comment

Police Flush Out Phone Thief After Wild Upper West Side Chase

Police Shut Down Street To Catch Small-Time Theif(Michael Breskin)

Two teens who allegedly snatched an iPhone from a Starbucks were chased down by Good Samaritans.

Tags: Crime, Upper West Side

Business & Economy | Midtown West comment

Hell's Kitchen Nightclub XL Delays Application for Liquor License

Gay Dance Bar Gains Community Support and Liquor License(Serena Solomon/DNAinfo)

The operator of a proposed Hell's Kitchen dance club slated to be part of the city's first gay tourist oasis unexpectedly pulled his application for a liquor license at a local community board meeting on Thursday.

Tags: Business & Economy, Midtown West & Hells Kitchen

Transportation | Upper West Side comment

Lonely Upper West Side Man Tries to Share Taxi Cab, Left Standing in the Rain

Mark Anthony, of the Upper West Side, wanted to share a taxi. Unfortunately, no one else did.

Tags: Transportation, Upper West Side

Real Estate comment

Le Pain Quotidien Won't Use Lit Sign to Lure Diners to Central Park

A popular cafe chain will set up shop in Central Park, but it won't be luring diners with a bright sign.

Tags: Real Estate, Upper West Side

Politics comment

City Promises To Remove a Controversial Shelter on the Upper West Side in Nine Months

237 West 107th Street(DNAinfo/Serena Solomon)

Residents who defeated a plan for a permanent homeless shelter on 107th Street have won another victory — the city has also promised to remove a smaller temporary facility already operating on the neighborhood block.

Tags: Politics, Morningside Heights

Real Estate | Upper West Side comment

Upper West Side Second Graders Get Schooled on Landmarks Through Preservation Course

Learning the Skyline: UWS Preservation Group Starts Students Young(DNAinfo/Serena Solomon)

Local preservation group wants to mold the city's next Donald Trump inside the classroom

Tags: Real Estate, Upper West Side

Politics | Upper West Side comment

Upper West Side Women's Homeless Shelter Plan Reconsidered by City

Community Board 7 balked at the plan, but is seeking a solution.

Tags: Politics, Upper West Side

Business & Economy | Upper West Side comment

Upper West Side Could Get Weekend Pedestrian Walkway in Spring

Street Closing Festivities Coming to the Upper West Side(Courtesy of the Department of Transport)

The Upper West Side could soon be celebrating Spring with some car-free street fairs under a new program called Weekend Walks.

Tags: Business & Economy, Upper West Side

Only In New York comment

What to Do With All This Snow? In the Village, Two Girls Built an Igloo

Is That an Igloo in Washington Square Park?(DNAinfo/Serena Solomon)

A foot of snow provided plenty of construction material for a pair of 5th graders to put their classwork into practice in Washington Square park on Friday.

Tags: Only In New York, East Village

Central Park comment

Man Killed by Falling Tree Limb in Central Park

A man was struck and killed by a fallen tree limb as he was walking through Central Park during a snowstorm Thursday, police said.

Tags: Central Park

Arts & Entertainment | Upper West Side comment

Study to Reveal What Makes the Upper West Side Tick

Upper West Siders need to take a long hard look at themselves and a presentation Thursday about the make up of the neighborhood will give them the opportunity to do so.

Tags: Arts & Entertainment, Upper West Side

Business & Economy | Upper West Side comment

Burberry Eying New Upper West Side Store

Burberry is Coming to the Upper West Side(Flickr/Publicity21)

Upper West Side fashionistas will not have to go far for high-end plaid now that Burberry has confirmed they are opening a store in the neighborhood.

Tags: Business & Economy, Upper West Side

Business & Economy | Upper West Side 1comment

Upper West Side Middle School to Get $500,000 Fence After Seven-Year Wait

Living and Breathing Fence for Columbus Avenue(Courtesy of Dattner Architects)

After a seven-year wait, an Upper West Side school is getting a $500,000 fence covered with plants.

Tags: Business & Economy, Upper West Side

Politics comment

Upper West Side Residents Protest Proposed Homeless Shelter

Residents mobilized against plans for a homeless shelter in the Upper West Side at a community meeting Tuesday night.

Tags: Politics, Morningside Heights

Only In New York | Manhattan comment

Manhattanites Ready to Roll With Taxi Sharing Program, Cabbies Not So Much

Shared Taxis: Commuters Ready but Cabbies Loosing Profit(DNAinfo/Serena Solomon)

Sure, many Manhattanites will share a cab with a stranger.

Tags: Only In New York, Manhattan

Arts & Entertainment | Upper West Side comment

Upper West Side Residents Gear Up for Annual Food Festival

New Taste of the Upper West Side Returns to the Neighborhood(Courtesy of Bullfrog & Baum)

Neighborhood foodies are gearing up to savor the third annual New Taste of the Upper West Side event.

Tags: Arts & Entertainment, Upper West Side

Politics comment

Sen. Chuck Schumer Unveils Bill to Ban Sex Offenders as Building Superintendents

New Bill Would Ban Sex Offenders From Serving as Superintendents(Department of Criminal Justice Services)

A federal law that would prevent sex offenders doubling as building superintendents was proposed on Sunday.

Tags: Politics, Upper West Side

Transportation | Chelsea comment

Commuter Nightmare: Lincoln Tunnel Outbound Lanes Closed for Several Hours

The outbound Lincoln Tunnel was closed for several hours Monday evening delaying thousands of commuters headed out of the city.

Tags: Transportation, Chelsea and Meatpacking District

Real Estate | Upper West Side comment

Lincoln Center's Proposed 'Bridge to Nowhere' Sparks Opposition From Upper West Side Community Board

Rendering of Lincoln Center Development(Image courtesy Diller Scofidio + Renfro)

Community Board 7 saw the latest bridge plan this week, and some think the project's an unnecessary expense.

Tags: Real Estate, Upper West Side

Crime | Midtown West 1comment

Times Square Hotspot China Club Looks to a Fresh Start After Fatal Stabbing

China Club to Reopen After Stabbing(Facebook/The China Club NYC)

Four weeks after a fatal stabbing near a popular Times Square nightclub, the club's owners are looking for a fresh start.

Tags: Crime, Midtown West & Hells Kitchen

Real Estate | Upper West Side comment

West Park Church Congregation Asks City Council to Veto Landmark Designation

West Park Presbyterian Church(Nicole Breskin/DNAinfo)

The congregation of an Upper West Side church that was recently designated a protected building by the Landmarks Preservation Commission is fighting to have the City Council veto the decision.

Tags: Real Estate, Upper West Side

Business & Economy | Upper West Side comment

Upper West Side Dry Cleaners Make a Killing off Ugg Boots

Those slushy winter streets are kicking up a new source of income to Upper West Side dry cleaners — Ugg Boots.

Tags: Business & Economy, Upper West Side

Health | Manhattan comment

Google Maps? Call it Google Rats as City Goes High-Tech to Track Vermin in Manhattan Neighborhoods

rat on subway platform 2(Flickr/timmurtaugh)

You never know when you're going to see a rat — on a subway platform, in a park, or on the street. But soon you'll be able to see them on a Google map.

Tags: Health, Manhattan

Arts & Entertainment | Midtown West comment

Gay-Friendly Resort Set to Move into Hell's Kitchen

Gay-Friendly Resort Moves Set to Move into Hell's Kitchen(Courtesy of Axel Hotel)

A boutique hotelier and a nightclub owner have joined forces to create the city's first gay tourist oasis on the West Side.

Gay-Friendly Resort Moves Set to Move into Hell's Kitchen(Serena Solomon/DNAinfo)

Tags: Arts & Entertainment, Midtown West & Hells Kitchen

Transportation | Midtown West comment

Moynihan Station Gets $83 Million Stimulus, Thousands of Jobs Expected

Moynihan Station Project Gets New Life With Stimulus Money(AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)

The long-delayed project to convert Manhattan's main post office into a new rail hub is getting an $83.3 million infusion of federal stimulus money.

Tags: Transportation, Midtown West & Hells Kitchen

Business & Economy | Upper West Side comment

Beautifying the Upper West Side, Sephora Moves In

The neighborhood is continuing draw big-box stores with makeup giant Sephora the next big chain due to move in.

Tags: Business & Economy, Upper West Side

Real Estate | Upper West Side comment

Illegal Fifth Floor Addition on Upper West Side Landmark Causes Controversy

Upper West Side Illegal Roof Top Expansion Hoping to be Legalized(Serena Solomon/DNAinfo)

A preservationist group is clashing with Community Board 7 over a fifth floor that was illegally added to a landmarked Upper West Side apartment building

Tags: Real Estate, Upper West Side

Politics | Upper West Side comment

Upper West Side Greenmarket Expanded on Columbus Avenue

77th Street Farmers Market Hoping to Stay, Expand(Ed Yourdon/Flickr)

A popular Sunday farmers market is sticking around, despite some complaints from residents about idling trucks.

Tags: Politics, Upper West Side

Only In New York | Chelsea comment

Alexander McQueen's Fans Pay Their Respects at W. 14th Street Store

Designer Alexander McQueen Dead(Serena Solomon/DNAinfo)

As New York's fashion world learned of the death of eccentric and controversial designer Alexander McQueen, mourners gathered outside his W. 14th store to pay their respects.

Tags: Only In New York, Chelsea and Meatpacking District

Politics | Upper West Side 1comment

Aggressive Ticketing by Traffic Officers Angers Upper West Side Residents

Complaints about aggressive ticketing by traffic enforcement officers on the Upper West Side have been flooding into Councilwoman Gale Brewer's office.

Tags: Politics, Upper West Side

Arts & Entertainment | Midtown West comment

Shake Shack Liquor License Cheered in Midtown, Jeered in NoLIta

Burger Wars: 5 Napkin Move into the Upper West Side(Serena Solomon/DNAinfo)

An upcoming Times Square Shake Shack is on its way toward serving beer and wine, but not so much at a NoLIta location.

Tags: Arts & Entertainment, Midtown West & Hells Kitchen

Only In New York comment

Snow Day is a Dog's Day in Manhattan

Dog owners knew they'd be outside.

Tags: Only In New York, Upper West Side

Arts & Entertainment | Midtown West comment

Yum Yum Bangkok Thai in Hell's Kitchen Redefines Local Chain on Ninth Avenue

Yum Yum Bangkok Creates a City(Serena Solomon/DNAinfo)

What started as one Thai restaurant on Ninth Avenue, has spread to four, all within 50 feet of each other.

Tags: Arts & Entertainment, Midtown West & Hells Kitchen

Business & Economy comment

Independent Greenwich Village Stores Remain Open During Blizzard

Small Stores Remain Open Despite Snow(Serena Solomon/DNAinfo)

Many local store owners in the Village kept their doors open during the blizzard with hopes of making a few bucks.

Tags: Business & Economy, West Village

Family Matters | Upper West Side comment

Dinosaur App for iPhone Launched by American Museum of Natural History

The app will give users access to thousands of dinosaurs.

Tags: Family Matters, Upper West Side

Health | Upper West Side comment

Rats Infest Verdi Square on the Upper West Side, Parks Department Calls in Reinforcements

Rat Infested, Verdi Square Gets Some Help(Serena Solomon/DNAinfo)

The rat problem in Verdi Square on the Upper West Side has gotten so bad that the Parks Department is calling in reinforcements.

Tags: Health, Upper West Side

Family Matters | Upper West Side comment

Sunday Farmers Market Operators Look to Renew Permit, Expand

A popular farmers market on Columbus Avenue wants to renew its permit this year and expand an extra block.

Tags: Family Matters, Upper West Side

Crime | Upper West Side comment

"Avatar" Purse Snatcher Targeted Upper West Side Theater, Report Says

As the 3D movie Avatar reached out to movie goers on the Upper West Side, a robber reached for their purses.

Tags: Crime, Upper West Side

Arts & Entertainment | Upper West Side comment

The Oscars Are Coming to New York... Via a Lincoln Center Satellite

Harlem Drama 'Precious' Nominated for Golden Globe(AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

A glamorous party at Lincoln Center will be the highlight of Oscar night here in Manhattan.

Tags: Arts & Entertainment, Upper West Side

Education | Upper West Side comment

Upper West Side Will Get New Elementary School by September

In an effort to relieve overcrowding of classrooms on the Upper West Side, a new elementary school is being proposed that would be opened by the start of the next school year.

Tags: Education, Upper West Side

Only In New York | Central Park 1comment