WFUV's Cityscape

This week Cityscape unwraps several segments for Christmas, including words and music from the New York Holiday Singers and an interview with the author and illustrator of a children's book called The Twelve Days of Christmas in New York City.

Tuesday marks the first day of winter.  New York City can get pretty cold this time of year.  You might say "as cold as stone," which, not so coincidentally, is the theme of this week's Citsycape.  Today we're taking a closer look at stone architecture in the Big Apple. 

For some, a dive bar invokes images of decaying, money-losing watering holes for nasty old drunks. For others, a dive bar is a hip spot where there's glamour in the grit.  On this week's Cityscape, we explore New York City's diviest dive bars.  Plus, how the rock band Van Halen brought a Bronx mom and one of her kids closer together.

This Wednesday marks the 30th anniversary of the day John Lennon was shot outside The Dakota on Manhattan’s West Side.  He was pronounced dead on arrival at St. Lukes-Roosevelt Hospital a short time later.  On this week's Cityscape, we talk with the author of a new book that goes into great detail about the events of that day.  Former New York City Mayor Ed Koch also joins us to share his recollections of December 8, 1980.

New York City is full of unique stories and surprising facts.  On this week's Cityscape, we will learn the answer to the question -- "when did the Statue of Liberty turn green?" -- and uncover a whole bunch of other interesting facts about the Big Apple.

The bridges of New York City are not simply a way to get from one place to another – they’re a part of the city’s history and culture and sometimes a source of inspiration. On this week's Cityscape, we're exploring the city's bridges from different vantage points.

Home can be difficult to define.  For some people it’s a physical place, but for others it’s simply a feeling.  It’s not about brick and mortar, but the comfort of family and friends that defines home. On this week's Cityscape, we're exploring what "home" feels like in New York City.

26.2 miles – that’s the distance some 40,000 participants will run during the New York City Marathon. Runners will test their strength and willpower as they make their way through all five boroughs starting on Staten Island and crossing the finish line in Central Park.  On this week's Cityscape, we'll hear the "behind-the-scenes" stories of some of those runners.

Do you remember playing your first instrument in school?  Maybe it was a flute, a trumpet, the drums or perhaps the piano.  Today, music education's facing an uncertain future because of budget cuts, but there's a movement underfoot advocating to implement and preserve music education in public schools.  As part of WFUV's Strike a Chord campaign, we're exploring efforts to keep music alive in schools, including the advocacy of Broadway legend Carol Channing and Bon Jovi keyboardist David Byran.

Halloween is right around the corner and trick-or-treaters have one big expectation; lots of candy.  The excitement of getting buckets and bags full of candy on Halloween only happens once a year, but some people have candy on their minds year-round.  On this week's Cityscape, we'll visit a Lower Manhattan candy store that has been in business for more than 70 years and explore other sweet stuff in the city. 

This Saturday is National Boss Day and we're marking the occasion by talking about some famous and infamous bosses in New York City history, from Boss Tweed to "The Boss," George Steinbrenner.

Where can you find a greenmarket, a statue of Gandhi and a sculpture that blows smoke?  Union Square, of course.  On this week's Cityscape we explore the universe of Union Square. 

Next weekend, New Yorkers and tourists alike will get the chance to snoop around at sites throughout the city that are typically off limits to the public.  It's all part of Open House New York weekend.  The event provides an all access pass to hundreds of New York landmarks, businesses, parks and even private homes.  On this morning Cityscape, we're taking a sneak peek at some of the places that'll be open for view during Open House New York weekend, Saturday, October 9th and Sunday, October 10th. 

New York City is full of countless discoveries.  You'll find surprises just about everywhere -- at museums, in office towers, parks and even in restaurants.  On this week's Cityscape, we revisit some of our favorite finds, as we ask you to find some money in your pocket for WFUV during our fall membership drive.

Despite its strong beginnings, New York City is no longer the jazz mecca it once was.  Blues is also not as popular, and that has enthusiasts of both musical genres concerned.  On this week's Cityscape, we explore the state of jazz and blues in New York and efforts to preserve the music genres. 

Nine years ago today, terrorists attacked.  The twin towers collapsed.  Nearly 3,000 people were killed.  However, amid the tragedies of 9/11, hope was literally born.  An estimated 10,000 American families welcomed a new baby into the world on September 11th, 2001.  A couple of those families share their stories on this week's Cityscape.

Next Saturday marks the 9 year anniversary of the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center.   Over the past several years, we’ve heard a lot about the illnesses that have afflicted rescue and recovery workers who toiled at the site.  But, on this week's Cityscape, we focus more specifically on the plight of those who lived, worked and studied in the area around ground zero.  Our guests include a computer programmer who worked on the 68th floor of the south tower.  She developed asthma shortly after her exposure to 9/11 dust and debris.

These days the mere sight of a mattress left on the street is enough to make your skin crawl. But, the fear of bedbugs is justified.  The blood sucking insects are a growing problem in New York City.   In fact, not even the city’s most iconic building is safe.  Bedbugs were recently found at the Empire State Building.  On this week's Cityscape, we’re focusing our attention on bedbugs and other pesky critters.

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Over the years, in New York City's five boroughs, kids found a variety of ways to amuse themselves in the streets.  They played, and sometimes even invented games, using whatever was at hand; bottle caps, a stick, or a piece of chalk.  On this edition of Cityscape, we're talking about street games; stickball, handball, stoopball and more – the world where the spalding ball met your mama’s broom handle.

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This summer’s heat may have given us something to gripe about, but it pales in comparison to what New Yorkers suffered through in August of 1896. A 10-day heat wave claimed the lives of more than 1,300 people in Manhattan alone. One local newspaper described the city as “an inferno of brick and stone."  Joining us this week to talk about this largely forgotten natural disaster in U-S history is Edward Kohn.  He’s the author of a new book called Hot Time in the Old Town: The Great Heat Wave of 1896 and the Making of Theodore Roosevelt.

It's often said that we should "learn to appreciate the little things in life."  Well, we’ve decided to take a closer look at that saying, quite literally!  On this week's Cityscape, we’re delving into all manner of teeny tiny things in New York City; from a Brooklyn artist’s ant farms to a miniature book collection to a film maker’s version of a toy land, to a Manhattan woman's collection of tiny troll dolls.

More and more New Yorkers are taking to cycling to get around.  In fact, bicycling is up 28 percent, with about 200,000 New Yorkers riding bikes every day, according to the group Transportation Alternatives.  Take a ride with us on this week's Cityscape as we journey through several aspects of cycling in New York City.

Research shows the majority of adults in New York City are overweight or obese and the statistics for children aren't much rosier.  Studies show 4 in 10 elementary school children are in the same category.  On this week's Cityscape, we look into why obesity is such a problem and what city officials are doing to address the matter.  Also, one woman shares her very personal battle with weight issues.

Over the years, Manhattan's Lower East Side has produced a number of famous artists, including Luther Vandross.  But, little is heard about those who made it only to the fringe of success. Benny Bell grew up on the Lower East Side and dreamed of being the next Irving Berlin. He wrote and sung hundreds of songs, many of them double entendre novelty tunes.  But, his music career never fully took off.  On this edition of Cityscape, Bell's grandson, Joel Samberg, shares his granddad's story.

Theater, bright lights and crowds are just some of the things that come to mind at the mention of 42nd Street, but this famous crosstown thoroughfare has humble beginnings.  On this edition of Cityscape, the story of 42nd Street.

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This summer marks the 35^th anniversary of the now legendary film Jaws, a movie that still counts as one of the top 10 thrillers in history.  This week, we’re celebrating by paying homage to sharks in our waters, in popular culture, and even on the field!

An openly gay New York City firefighter shares his story.  Plus the author of a book about "out" police officers talks about being gay in law enforcement.

A couple of years ago, when the economy took a turn for the worse, a lot of people found themselves out of work.  Today, the unemployment numbers are a bit rosier.  But, while some people are saying the worst of the recession is over, the jobless have an entirely different story to tell.  As part of WFUV's Strike a Chord campaign on the jobless, Cityscape this week delves into issues facing unemployed people and programs in place to help them get their lives back on track.

Not so long ago, the name Alphabet City stirred up images of squatters, vacant lots, drug dealers, and burned-out buildings. These days the neighborhood's known for high-priced real estate, stylish bars, funky shopping, and the upwardly mobile.  On this week's Cityscape, we're taking an in-depth look at the past and present of the Manhattan neighborhood around Avenues A, B, C and D, from 14th Street to Houston Street.

Over the past few years, we've heard a lot of talk about the sorry state of the newspaper industry.  Much of the attention has been focused on big dailies.  But, what's the state of high school newspapers.  On this edition of Cityscape, we'll talk with the author of a new study on New York City's high school newspapers.  We'll also hear from the author of Off The Beaten (Subway) Track: New York City's Best Unusual Attractions.

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It’s not uncommon for a teen-ager to experience growing pains.  But, a lot of them ride it out, sometimes with the help of their parents.  But, not all kids have a support system, and home is the last place they’ll turn to for help. On this week's Cityscape, we focus our attention on runaway and homeless youth in New York City.

They’re all around us…in our homes, in our places of work, in our backyards, and in the air…what are we talking about?  Insects.  On this week's Cityscape, we're exploring the world of bugs.  We'll talk with the author of a new book called Insectopedia, visit a Manhattan eatery that serves grasshoppers (and eat them too), talk with a Brooklyn artist who dabbles in insect photography and meet a pair of professional "insect-pinners" in SoHo.

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Remember the decade that brought us Dallas and the DeLorean, Madonna and MTV, Cats, the Rubik's Cube and the fitness craze?  That’s right…you’re probably getting flashbacks of the 1980s!  On this week's Cityscape, we’re taking a look back at the 1980s – the fashion, the hair, the films and the music of that decade! 

If you live in New York City, it’s more than likely you’ve called the oft-dialed 3-1-1 to complain about whatever’s fraying your nerves.  On this week's Cityscape, we'll get a first hand look at the 3-1-1 call center in Lower Manhattan and talk with two call service representatives.  We'll also talk with a woman on the front lines in the fight against noise, the most common quality of life complaint in New York City.  And we'll chat with the author of the New York City Museum of Complaint, a collection of 132 letters written to the Mayor of New York between 1751 and 1969.

In the comics, Superman protects the fictitious city of Metropolis, which of course, bears a striking resemblance to New York. In  fact, a lot of comic book superheroes fight for justice in a city very much like New York -- or in New York itself.  Peter Parker – AKA – “your friendly neighborhood Spiderman” – hails from Queens. On this week's Cityscape, superheroes in NYC -- real and make-believe.

With so many diverse cultures and people in New York City, it’s no wonder there are so many extraordinary stories to tell. On this edition of Cityscape, some of our favorite segments from over the years.  This "best of" show coincides with WFUV's Spring Fund Drive.  Support the Cityscape podcast and WFUV by clicking the "contribute now" button at WFUV.org

On this week's Cityscape, a Manhattan resident talks candidly about being a recovering alcoholic.  Also this week, a preview of New York City's first gay boutique hotel slated to open in Manhattan's Hell's Kitchen.

On this week's Cityscape, we shine a spotlight on women working in traditionally male blue collar jobs.

For a lot of people, New York City is the very definition of nightlife.  On this week's Cityscape, we'll find out what's hot in the city after dark and delve into some of the issues and concerns that revolve around nightlife, from liquor licenses to safety to noise complaints.

As part of WFUV's Strike a Chord campaign, this week's Cityscape is all about affordable housing.  We'll get into the nitty gritty of what that term means in New York City, talk to the city's housing commissioner about efforts to build and preserve affordable housing and take a step inside an affordable housing complex in midtown Manhattan that some say is nothing short of a miracle.

The Bronx is a borough that conjures up a wide variety of images…Hip Hop...the Yankees…the Zoo…and if you’re of a certain age, you might think of the urban decay of the 1970’s and 80’s.  Over the years, Hollywood has helped to perpetuate many of the negative images of the Bronx, but it’s also shown the borough’s brighter side.  On this week's Cityscape, an exploration of the Bronx on the big screen.  Also this week, a look back at the history of what was once the Bronx's grandest movie theater...the Loew's Paradise.

On this week's Cityscape, we're undressing New York City, so to speak.  We're talking with New Yorkers who make a living by making, selling and wearing underwear.  We'll meet someone who's been fitting women in bras for more than 30 years, a family who's been making men's underwear for four generations and a Bronx man who earns a buck modeling underwear.

Every day people hop in cars and board trains and buses to get to work, but not every commute is the same and neither is every commuter.  On this week's Cityscape, we'll meet some ordinary New Yorkers with not so ordinary commutes.

New York City's landscape is forever changing...buildings come down...new ones go up...old theaters are transformed into restaurants and even pharmacies. On this week's Cityscape, we'll hear about efforts to make sure the city's history and cultural heritage aren't obliterated in the name of progress.

Cityscape celebrates Valentine's Day this week with a visit to a chocolate factory in Brooklyn. We'll also learn all about perfumes and colognes at an olfactory school in midtown Manhattan.

The first, perhaps annual, Cityscape Spelling Bee. Listen as two New Yorkers go head to head for the prize of WFUV music host Dennis Elsas' voice on their home answering machine. We'll also drop in on an adult spelling bee at a Brooklyn bar.

For a lot of people construction sites are more of an eyesore than a work of art. But, a downtown business improvement district’s working to change that. We'll hear about their efforts on this week's Cityscape. Also this week, members of the group Improv Everywhere, talk about some of the public pranks they've pulled over the years, including their No Pants Subway Ride.