Photo by Harriet Flehinger.

November 25, 2011 Weather: Sunny, High of 59 Degrees.

News:
It was stunningly crowded this year at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and the blowing up of balloons the night before — more so than in previous years — Upper West Siders told me. I was on 70th Street watching the parade, and only got to see each balloon for about 15 seconds, but that was enough (took some photos here, mostly of kids climbing up windows to get a better view). I heard Central Park West was already packed to capacity at 6:30 a.m., two and half hours before the parade began.

Here’s New York magazine’s Black Friday shopping guide, with deals at numerous locations on the Upper West Side, including the Time Warner Center mall, clothing store Theory and more. (Also check out the banner at the top of this site made by West Side Rag web designer Laura Koo Nicholas to commemorate the day — 100% off!) (NY Mag)

Starbucks is backing off its plans to close restrooms to the public — in fact, the closures may not have been part of a coordinated plan at all, just a handful of decisions by pissed-off baristas at a few stores. The restrooms have been reopened. (NY Times)

More on that Upper West Side Town Hall meeting last week that drew so many people that many never got in. (West Side Spirit)